REMEMBER, remember the fifth of November. It's 400 years since 1605, when Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators failed in their gunpowder plot to blow up Parliament. The poor chap's been burned in effigy ever since.

Even though Christmas now seems to start in August and shops are overwhelmed by American style Halloween goodies, there is still time for Bonfire Night. And yes, of course, fireworks are just a quick way of sending your money up in smoke. But they're great while they last.

This year you can mark November 5 in extra style with a Guy Fawkes firework that has 1605 shots - of course - and costs £100.

Jitu Desai loves fireworks. "Everything from a sparkler to a 12-inch shell, I'm just crazy about them."

Twenty five years ago he set up in business selling fireworks and presenting displays. As a master pyrotechnician, he has organised displays at Stockton Riverside and Bishop Auckland. And although his business goes with a bang, especially at this time of year, he believes firmly that fireworks aren't only for Bonfire Night.

"They are a great way to celebrate any special event. We have teams of pyrotechnicians now and all year round they go all over the country, doing displays for weddings, business presentations or rock concerts. People ask for them at fetes, or just to give a different finish to a party. Fireworks always add something special.

"When I started out, we were way behind the south of England in our use of fireworks. But now we too enjoy them all year round. They're too good to keep just to one time of the year."

Other things have changed in the last 25 years, too.

"We are much more safety conscious. People used to buy fireworks from corner shops, where they would be just stored anywhere with no special care. Now there are more specialist shops like ours, where we have strict guidelines about storage."

He also has strict rules about who he sells to.

"We don't want to sell to idiots. We ask for ID to prove teenagers are old enough. We turn away customers every day if we don't feel comfortable with them. We don't want accidents. They spoil fireworks for everybody."

There are fewer back garden bonfire parties too.

"More people go to organised displays. It is much safer. But we sell display packs for people to use themselves and we explain and advise them on what's best for them."

Helping him in his shop in Borough Road, Middlesbrough, for the next few weeks is Umer Rashid - well known in the region as a professional cricketer - who delights in explaining all the stock with their wonderful names.

"Jumping Grasshoppers with Clicking Legs, Silver Fish, Three Blind Mice - that even whistles the tune - are all pretty ones.

"Then we have God of Thunder, Crouching Tiger, Symphony in the Sky. Plus lots of the Americans with names like Grand Canyon, Battle of the Alamo, Freedom Run and Independence Day.

"There are big bangs and then something like Stardust, which is like 140 Roman candles - less noisy than some others."

If people come into the shop planning to organise their own back garden fireworks, he will find out what sort of effects they're after, help them choose and, above all, advise them on safety.

"We have so many different fireworks here, all doing different things, from £5.99 to £100. Then the great rounds of bangs that can last for two minutes, which is actually a long time in fireworks. Fireworks aren't meant to last a long time, just look and sound wonderful for a moment or two. That's what makes them so special."

* G2 Fireworks, display teams and consultancy, 3 Borough Road, Middlesbrough. Tel: (01642) 644555 or 07850 400597.

The shop, with its huge range of fireworks, is open from around 10.10am-1.30pm until Bonfire Night - but best check opening times if you're travelling a distance.

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