April 30 2003, Bill Tynan's Press Release, MP Guided By First Hand Experience
Bill Tynan MP said, "I am delighted to say that following very successful first and second
readings earlier this year, the Fireworks Bill has also gone through Committee Stage within the House of Commons with unprecedented speed.
It is now in Report Stage and will come back to the House for its third reading on Friday 13th June.

The MP for Hamilton South is continuing to liaise with various organisations and parliamentarians on the content of the Bill. Over the past few weeks he has been out in the Hamilton and Blantyre communities, speaking to people in the streets, gauging their opinion and collecting signed petitions.

In taking forward this Bill through the legislative process, the MP knows how crucial it is to understand both the positive and negative impact of fireworks. With this in mind, The Guide Dogs for the Blind have put the MP in touch with Ann Scroggie of Larkhall, who is herself blind, and her guide dog 'Eric' and Bill visited Ann at home to experience first hand the issues faced by her and Eric.
www.billtynan.labour.co.uk/

April 29 2003, ic Birmingham, £5,000 compensation for injuries
A Shrewsbury Town footballer who caused a teenage girl horrific facial and scarring in a firework accident has been ordered to pay her £5,000 compensation and complete 100 hours community service.
Division Three striker Luke Rodgers took the youngster to hospital after she was struck by a rocket he test-fired from a grass verge outside a Castle Bromwich pub, Warwick Crown Court heard.
The 21-year-old player, of Hodge Hill, Birmingham, admitted causing bodily injury by gunpowder to 16-year-old Sarah Morris at a previous hearing, although his plea was entered on the basis that he had acted recklessly rather than maliciously.
Prosecutor Guy Spollen told the court that the incident happened on the evening of October 10 last year outside The Spitfire Inn after Rodgers had bought two rockets and launching tubes from a salesman who called at the pub.
The lawyer said the firework had flown out of control, travelling horizontally rather than vertically, and struck Miss Morris, who was walking in the street a substantial distance from the pub.
The teenager also suffered burns and scarring on one side of her face.
Mr Spollen added that when the firework hit the girl on the side of her face, it stuck to her skin and continued to burn and spark, causing her to fall to the ground screaming in shock and pain.
The main charge of the device then exploded, causing further injury and setting light to her jacket.
Rodgers immediately tried to helped Miss Morris and drove her to hospital.
Gary Bell, defending, said Rodgers felt terrible shame for what had happened and wished to convey his sincere apologies to the victim.
Rodgers had bought the rockets to test them with a view to purchasing more of the devices for his father.
Mr Bell said the incident had affected Rodgers' playing form and led to the withdrawal of his selection for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side.
Judge Richard Cole said the case highlighted the danger of fireworks if used in the wrong way.
"There is also no doubt at all that the most horrific injuries have been caused to Sarah Morris," the judge said.
"The pain must have been indescribable but it's the long-term effect that is going to be of particular concern."
The judge continued: "It perhaps could be said that it was a complete accident that it struck Miss Morris, but the situation is that you chose to set off this rocket in that position without taking the relevant precautions for dealing with fireworks."
The judge also expressed the hope that the sentence would act as a deterrent to other people tempted to let off fireworks in inappropriate circumstances.
In a statement issued outside court, the Morris family thanked everyone who had helped Sarah to cope with what had happened to her and called for a total ban of firework sales to the public.
The statement, read on the family's behalf by West Midlands
Police Detective Sergeant Alistair Kelly, said: "We send out thanks in particular to all the staff at Selly Oak Hospital's burns unit for the wonderful work they had done and are still doing.
"From a young and vivacious teenager, Sarah's traumatic experience now means that she no longer has the full confidence of being in public places and has had the freedom normal to teenagers taken away from her."
The family said the Government must act to stop a repeat of the tragedy, adding: "We would not wish the experience or trauma of what happened to Sarah on another innocent child.
"Regardless of the outcome today, it will not completely heal the scars or erase the pain that Sarah has been through."
Rodgers said that his central concern was for the welfare of his victim. "It was a complete accident. I am glad it's all over, although it's never been about the sentencing, I was more concerned about Sarah Morris.".

April 29 2003, The News & Star, FIREWORK ACCIDENT GIRL SUING SOLICITOR
A WORKINGTON girl who was almost blinded in one eye by a firework is suing her former solicitor after claiming that he failed to present adequately her case for damages.
Zoe Thompson was one of two girls hurt in an horrific firework accident at a display organised by Workington town council at The Cloffocks in 1994. She was just 12 at the time of the incident.
The pair of youngsters were standing five rows back from the front when the rocket shot into the crowd. No further public firework displays have been organised since the event.
The legal team at Kevin Commons & Co, which has branches in Workington, Whitehaven and Carlisle, is now accused of failing to get an expert to help Miss Thompson's claim for damages from the bonfire committee in 1995. That bid failed and now Miss Thompson is hoping to recover damages from the law firm.
Senior partner Marcus Nickson specialises in accident and medical negligence claims and is affiliated to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Law Society's specialist personal injury panel.
Burns
A three-day trial listed as Thompson v Commons will start at Leeds County Court tomorrow.
Miss Thompson's friend Annette Rice suffered burns to her face and clothes, flash blindness and singed hair when the rocket shot into the crowd.
She later quit her A-level studies. Annette went on to marry John Penn last year and now works at Broombys builders merchant.
Annette's physical injuries healed but she says she was psychologically scarred by the incident.
Two years ago, Miss Rice won her six-year legal battle and was awarded an undisclosed sum in damages following a two-day hearing at Preston County Court.
The Workington bonfire committee decided to discontinue the case because of expert evidence being presented on behalf of Miss Rice.
A legal bid by Miss Thompson failed in 1995 when the judge ruled in favour of the bonfire committee. It was based on defence evidence and it is alleged Miss Thompson's team failed to engage an expert.
It is understood Miss Thompson and her family live in the Whitehaven area.

April 24 2003, ic Berkshire, 'Festival noise is driving us WO-MAD'
FAMILIES living on the Caversham riviera whose peace is shattered every year by Rivermead summer music festivals say organisers must can the late night fireworks and drumming.
One homeowner from The Warren came face to face with organisers of July's Womad festival at a meeting of the Reading borough council licensing committee last week.
Chronicle-sponsored WOMAD, World of Music and Dance, attracts 18,500 revellers to the Richfield Avenue site which is directly across the river from the The Warren's exclusive homes.
Warren and District Residents' Association member Rosemary Bayford said: "When you are on the receiving end of it you can see how the amount of music over a long period of time can be very disruptive - it's quite considerable.
"We get lots of drumming coming from the footpath outside the actual festival ground, which is very difficult to police.
"And we have fireworks going off intermittently throughout the night."
And Thames ward councillor Jeanette Skeats added: "The drumming on the camp site at night is unbearable and needs to be dealt with."
WOMAD organiser Chris Smith said: "We had a significant problem last year with a particular trader.
"After years in which we'd managed to control drums, this trader had about 300 people drumming outside his stall.
"That trader has been dealt with and will not be trading at this year's festival.
"We've not been aware of a significant problem with fireworks, but will certainly keep an eye on things this year."
In June The Warren neighbours will also be forced to contend with a crowd of 15,000 youngsters congregating on the Rivermead site for the Summer XS concert.

April 24 2003, ic SurreyOnline, Minibus burnt out by arsonists
ARSONISTS destroyed a minibus used by people with learning difficulties in a heartless attack over the Easter weekend .
The vehicle belonging to The Bridge in Kingston Road, Leatherhead, was so badly burnt it even set fire to part of the roof behind the day centre building.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 2.30 am on Saturday and the flames were put out about 45 minutes later.
This is the latest in a spate of vandalism on the Kingston Road site, with residents complaining of graffiti and young people smoking drugs on the recreation ground.
The Bridge has suffered in the past from its location next to the recreation ground, according to staff. "Vandalism is an ongoing problem here," said Dean Potter, day service officer for The Bridge.
"We regularly come to work and find fireworks have been put through the letter box, there is graffiti on the outside walls and the flower beds have been tram-pled."
Staff at The Bridge, which is run by Surrey County Council adult services, will now have to hire a minibus to transport people around as they wait to hear if they will be given a replacement.
The bus was used most days to take people with learning difficulties to other centres and on outings.
At night, The Bridge becomes a youth centre, which has also used the bus, particularly recently during the Easter school holidays.
"We don't know yet if we are going to get a replacement. To be honest, everyone here is still in shock that the bus has been destroyed," Mr Potter said. "We just want people to be aware of what has happened and hopefully we can find ways of making the area more pleasant for everyone."
Police estimate the cost of replacing the minibus at about £5,000 and are treating the fire as suspicious as it was parked and secure and not close to anything that could have set it alight inadvertently.
Kingston Road is one of the areas regularly patrolled by police, and anyone suspected of drinking or taking drugs are not allowed entrance to the youth club.
The youth club also tries to offer constructive activities for young people to do such as Duke of Edinburgh award courses.
Anyone with any information on the arson attack should contact investigating officer PC Mark Mitchell, who is based at Reigate police station, on 0845 1252222.
Alternatively you can telephone Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.

April 23 2003, ManchesterOnline - News, Clampdown on illicit fireworks
MANCHESTER'S black market trade in unlawful fireworks is facing a government crackdown.
The city has an unwanted reputation as one of the main centres in Britain for the storage of illegally imported fireworks.
Government sources say they are aware of the problem and are looking at ways of tracking vanloads of fireworks brought into the country on ferries.
The Manchester Evening News is campaigning for a complete ban on firework sales to the public, except to the organisers of properly licensed displays.
We believe that it is the only way to end the noise, nuisance and suffering through injury that blight communities for months before and after Bonfire Night. Firework manufacturers in Britain argue that much of the problem is caused by people gaining access to illegally imported fireworks.
The British Fireworks Association, which represents manufacturers, has been in talks with the government about the problem.

Unauthorised
Consumer affairs minister Melanie Johnson now has her department looking at possible ways of curbing illegal imports - and their distribution across Manchester. She said: "There are fireworks coming into the country - through unauthorised routes - that are not stored properly and are sold out of the back of vans, often to under-age customers.
"We are doing more to improve our intelligence on what is coming through the ports and are looking at what might be done and what arrangements can be made through the various authorities to tackle this.
"We are well aware of the problem. I certainly hope that the problems caused by fireworks will not get any worse. I would be very upset - and so would most of the public - if things did not improve.
"The situation is pretty intolerable for many communities and I don't want to see things continue at their existing level."
Manchester council's trading standards office said they were aware of problems with traders selling fireworks to the public which should be made available only to qualified display organisers.

April 21 2003, BBC NEWS, Crews tackle fireworks fire
More than 30 firefighters have tackled a fire at an industrial unit in which fireworks are stored in Liverpool.
The fire began at about 1800 BST on Sunday in Charnock Road, Walton.  Witnesses reported the sky above was filled with a fireworks display 100ft in the air.  The fire began in a unit storing children's toys before spreading to the fireworks unit.  A workshop and a parked lorry were also set alight.
Crews were at the scene of the fire until 0730 BST on Monday.

April 21 2003, ic Birmingham, Police joy at fine on yobs
A fixed penalty notice scheme for anti-social behaviour has been given the thumbs-up by West Midlands Police after the success of a pilot scheme in the region.
Almost 1,500 penalty notices of £40 or £80 have been issued by the force under the scheme, which aims to tackle minor offences and low level crime.
Chief Insp James Andronov, from West Midlands Police Operations Support, said officers widely welcomed their new powers and were very supportive of the scheme.
"All the feedback we have received from officers has been positive. They find penalty notices have cut down considerably on paperwork, allowing them to be out in the community doing their job," he said.
"Many officers have said they would like to see the range of offences extended and most believe the scheme should be extended across the rest of the country."
West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson is now urging the Home Office to extend the scheme nationally and include a wider range of offences.
"The results from the first six months of pilots are very positive indeed. A total of 98 per cent of all fixed penalty notices are paid and never end up in court," he said.
"I will be urging the Government to extend the scheme nationwide so that every police force in the country has this new weapon at their disposal. "We should also be able to apply the notices to under-18s who are causing disorder and allow them to be used against a wider range of offences."
Since the launch of the scheme in August, 112 tickets have been issued for wasting police time or giving a false report, four for sending a false message, one for knowingly making a false alarm to the fire brigade, 806 for using threatening and abusive behaviour, four for throwing fireworks, 524 for being drunk and disorderly, nine for trespassing on the railway, 34 for being drunk in the highway and one for drinking in a prohibited public place.

April 21 2003, ic Liverpool, Blaze sparks fireworks show
A WAREHOUSE blaze sent fireworks shooting into the sky at the Liver Industrial Estate in Liverpool.
Forty firefighters spent nearly nine hours tackling the fire in Charnock Road, Walton, last night.
Fireman Jason Hannah, of Aintree Fire Station, said: "We were ducking for cover, fireworks went off all over the place."
Seven engines - from as far afield as Longmoor Lane, Croxteth, Kirkby and Wirral - were sent to the fire, just before 6pm. It took them three hours to bring it under control and crews spent several hours damping down.
At its worst, the blaze could be seen from the city centre, and it spread to a neighbouring workshop and a lorry.
Fireworks, paint and other flammable items were stored in the building, which was badly damaged - the asbestos roof was destroyed.
The alarm was raised after people saw fireworks, and heard explosions.
Insp Bob Johnson, of Merseyside police, said investigations were continuing.

April 21 2003, ic Teesside, Bonfire night comes early
Residents living near a fireworks warehouse were given a free display after it caught fire.
More than 30 people called emergency services last night after the sky around homes in Aintree, Merseyside, was lit by dozens of fireworks shooting up to 100 ft into the air. At its height, more than 50 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze after fire spread from a nearby unit. Nobody was hurt and firefighters remained at the scene until about 7.30am today.

April 20 2003, BBC NEWS, Blaze at fireworks warehouse
A warehouse used to store fireworks has caught fire in Liverpool.  Fifty firefighters were needed to get the blaze under control.  For 45 minutes the sky had been lit up with fireworks, shooting 100 feet into the air.   The fire crews expect to be at the Aintree warehouse all night, damping down and dealing with any hot-spots which may flare up.
Specialist equipment
The blaze started at about 1800 BST and has left the warehouse partially gutted and its roof collapsed.  The firefighters who were called out to tackle the blaze were previously unaware of the building's use.  They had to bring in specialist equipment, including an aerial ladder, to get the flames under control.  The nearest houses are 400 metres away and none were evacuated.  No one has been hurt in the blaze.

April 18 2003, ic Birmingham,  MP keen to extend fine scheme
An influential Midland MP has called for on-the-spot fines for nuisance and anti-social behaviour to be extended across the country.
Tom Watson (Lab, West Bromwich East) said he was delighted with the progress of a pilot scheme run by West Midlands Police which has resulted in more than 1,500 tickets being issued for minor offences so far.
Mr Watson, who is a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, has now urged the Government to roll out the scheme across the country and include more offences.
The £40 and £80 fines cover a range of offences from being drunk and disorderly to wasting police time and trespassing on railways.
Mr Watson said: "The results from the first six months of pilots are very positive indeed with 98 per cent of all fixed penalty notices paid and never ending up in court.
"I know from talking to a number of local police officers that they believe these fines are an effective way of dealing with the type of behaviour that blights the lives of communities throughout the West Midlands.
"On top of that they reduce the burden on the courts, free police officer time and provide a valuable deterrent to would- be offenders.
"I will be urging the Government to extend the scheme nationwide so that every police force in the country has at their disposal this new weapon in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour."
Mr Watson backed plans for the fines to apply to under-19s, and include offences like misuse of fireworks, graffiti and fly posting.
West Midlands Police was the only force in the country to pilot the scheme across its entire force area when it was introduced last August.
Since then 112 tickets have been issued for wasting police time, four for sending a false message and one for knowingly making a false alarm call to the fire brigade.
The vast majority, 806, were for causing harassment, alarm or distress and 524 have been issued for drunk and disorderly offences.
Chief Inspector James Andronov, of West Midlands Police, said officers widely welcomed their new powers and supported the scheme.
He said: "All of the feedback we have received from officers has been positive. They find penalty notices have cut down considerably on paperwork, allowing them to be out in the community doing their job rather than back at the station filling in forms."

April 17 2003, ManchesterOnline - News, Top praise for our fireworks stand
THE MINISTER in charge of fireworks has praised the Manchester Evening News campaign and pledged a tougher crackdown if problems continue.
Consumer affairs minister Melanie Johnson credited the M.E.N. with promoting awareness of the problems thousands have had with yobs throwing fireworks.
And, in showing she was aware of the paper's stance, she promised tighter restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks if new legislation fails to end the misery suffered by many.
Labour MP Bill Tynan has put forward a Bill which is soon to become law. It will mean fines and even jail for hooligans who abuse fireworks.
The M.E.N. believes fireworks should only be sold to licensed organisers of proper displays, not to the general public.

Tougher measures
Mrs Johnson said the government would bring in tougher measures than those proposed by Mr Tynan's Bill if the problems of noise, nuisance and injury continue after it becomes law.
She said the Bill allows the government to start further crackdowns on the menace of fireworks if it does not appear to be having an immediate effect. She said: "I am very pleased the Manchester Evening News has been running its campaign. It is not surprising that your readers are very concerned about this issue.
"I think they are right to be concerned about it. Noise and nuisance and the dangers that fireworks have posed to people have reached quite unacceptable levels and we all want to work together to reduce this.
"I think the new Bill will make a very substantial difference, but no-one can guarantee there will never be a problem.
"I am concerned about disorder in local communities, particularly for the elderly and people with pets.
"A lot of people have become fed up with the noise and disruption and the way that fireworks go on for a considerable time.
"The new Bill will give us powers to regulate the problems, and I hope we will get that right and we won't be talking about harassment in two or three years.
"But the Bill will give us the possibility to extend our powers and deal with things as they arise. We want people to be able to enjoy fireworks sensibly and safely.''

April 16 2003, This is The Wirral, Jailed after 'disgusting violent act'
A YOUNG Wirral man who threatened to blow up a woman who was due to give evidence against him has been sentenced to 12 months' detention.
Judge Ian Trigger told 20-year-old Adrian Taylor that it had been a "disgusting piece of violence" which had left his victim in a terrible state.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that on October 9 Taylor went into the foyer of The Beacon Project in Pembroke Court in Rock Ferry where Lesley Rogers, who was due to give evidence against him in a trial, was working.
He threatened to cut her throat and blow her up and produced a seven inch firework. He put it in the middle of the reception area, lit it and stepped back, said Jon Close, prosecuting.
Miss Rogers grabbed hold of a fire extinguisher but fortunately the firework went out. He picked it up again and put it to his head and shouted, "I'll blow you and me up."
He also shouted that his solicitor would make sure she lost her job and he threw the firework out of the back door of the premises. He then picked up a vacuum cleaner and threw it at the security door causing it to crack.
He picked it up again and threw it against the wall breaking the cleaner, said Mr Close.
He left saying he did not care if he was arrested and that he knew where she lived. The police arrived and arrested him nearby. When interviewed he denied the offences and claimed she had made up the allegations.
Taylor, of Parkside Road, Tranmere, was found guilty of witness intimidation, affray and two offences of criminal damage after a trial.
Judge Trigger told Taylor that he had been in such a rage he had damaged the vacuum cleaner and door and had been intimidating and aggressive. "You denied culpability but the jury quite rightly on overwhelming evidence convicted you.
"You have gone completely off the rails, largely through imbibing too much alcohol. I would be failing in my duty if I imposed anything other than an immediate custodial sentence."

April 15 2003, ic CheshireOnline, Farm vandal fears
CONCERNS have been raised over the possibility of animals being kept overnight in Whitby Park as part of the urban farm project.
Farm organisers are hoping to house two ponies and about 20 hens in the park's former toilet block sometime this summer.
However, not everyone is happy with the idea, including the Friends of Whitby Park who have started a protest petition.
Spokesperson Eric Bowler said: 'We object because of the vandalism taking place around the park area, especially Park Drive.
'Walls have been kicked down, car windows have been smashed and fireworks have been thrown into gardens. These actions lead us to believe animals will not be safe overnight. Our overriding concerns are the safety of the animals.'
Among those opposing Mr Bowler's view is Sam Cadwallader, from Whitby, who said: 'The urban farm chairperson Lizzie Wiffen has worked tirelessly to get the scheme in our park and would not put any animals at risk, being an ardent animal lover herself.
'I can't understand anyone objecting to something that will bring so much pleasure to so many children and adults.'
Lizzie Wiffen has assured that animals will only be kept overnight from Easter until October and removed well before Bonfire Night.
She said: 'I have spoken to the chief veterinary officer of the RSPCA and he has no worries about what we have planned. Transporting the animals every night would be far too stressful for them.
'The building they will be housed in will be secure and we will also provide a phone number for emergencies if anything untoward happens.'
She added: 'Children will love it because pony rides will be available. At present, the park provides little in the way of entertainment, particularly for our more vulnerable members of society.'
Philip Hearfield, the borough council's community leisure officer, said: 'The community committee has agreed in principle the idea of a small animal attraction.
'This, however, is subject to a planning application where there will be an opportunity for consultation.
'If the plan goes ahead care will be taken to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the animals.'
* What do you think? Should animals be kept overnight in Whitby Park? Write, phone or e-mail your thoughts to the usual Pioneer address.

April 12 200, ic Coventry, Campaign sparks new legislation
Coventry's campaign to fight firework misuse is to become law, the government has announced.
MPs aim to help local authorities impose £100 fines where fireworks are let off between 11pm and 7am.
Coventry City Council is delighted with the news after sponsoring a 5,000-name petition calling for government action to combat the nuisance.
Cllr John McNicholas, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "It is good news and timely that the government is taking the problem of firework misuse as seriously as I and other Coventry residents do.
"Fireworks blight the lives of many people - and their pets - for weeks and months every year. I have long called for better regulations to modernise ineffective national laws relating to firework retailing and misuse."
Coventry City Council had launched a campaign and a petition to get a bylaw to outlaw late-night fireworks.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has informed the city council that local laws are not the best response to the problem, and changes to national legislation are needed instead.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is now seeking parliamentary changes to the Noise Act, which would make it easier for local authorities to impose £100 fixed penalty notices for firework misuse between 11pm and 7am.
Cllr McNicholas is urging the people of Coventry to help push forward the new law.
He said: "Now Defra has promised these changes, it's up to the government and MPs to bring them on to the statute book.
"We look forward to seeing the detail of the proposals because we want to ensure that any new powers can and will be used if necessary.
"I would encourage people to write to Margaret Beckett, the Secretary of State at Defra, and keep up Coventry's pressure for positive change."

April 11 2003, ic Coventry, Boy, 13, admits firework attack
A 13-year-old boy has escaped custody after admitting lodging a lighted firework in a house wall while a family were inside.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to arson and racially-aggravated harassment at Coventry Crown Court.
Judge James Pyke ordered he complete a two-year supervision order, but said an adult committing a similar offence would have faced a custodial sentence.
Sir Andrew Watson, prosecuting, said the offence took place on November 25 outside a house in Hampton Road, Coventry.
He said two adults were due to face charges in respect of the same offences.
Sir Andrew said it was clear the boy was acting under the influence of others but had participated in abuse against the family in the house for the previous two weeks.
He said: "This defendant inserted a lit firework into the brickwork of the house, near the kitchen. There were yellow sparks coming from it and into the kitchen, which terrified the children, aged 10 and six."
He said the firework was removed by the children's father.
The next day, police saw the boy outside the same house, holding a newspaper in one hand and a lighter in the other. He was arrested.
Ian Speed, defending, said the boy understood what he had done but said he had been under the influence of others.
He said he was a special needs child who needed closer attention.

April 11 2003, ManchesterOnline - News, Blitz on black market firework trade
MANCHESTER'S black-market trade in unlawful fireworks is facing a government crackdown.
The city has an unwanted reputation as one of the main centres in Britain for the storage of illegally imported fireworks.
Government sources say they are aware of the problem and are looking at ways of tracking van-loads of fireworks brought into the country on ferries.
The M.E.N. is campaigning for a total ban on fireworks sales to the public, apart from organisers of licensed displays.

Nuisance
We believe it is the only way to end the noise, nuisance and suffering through injury that blights communities for months before and after Bonfire Night
Fireworks manufacturers in the UK argue that much of the problem is caused by people gaining access to illegally imported fireworks.
The British Fireworks Association, which represents manufacturers, has been in discussion with the government about the problem.
Consumer affairs minister Melanie Johnson now has her department looking at possible ways of curbing illegal imports - and their distribution across Manchester.

Unauthorised
She said: "There are fireworks coming into the country through unauthorised routes that are not stored properly and are sold out of the back of vans, often to under-age customers.
"We are doing more to improve our intelligence on what is coming through the ports and are looking at what might be done and what arrangements can be made through the various authorities to tackle this.
"We are well aware of the problem. I certainly hope that the problems caused by fireworks will not get any worse. I would be very upset - and so would most of the public - if things did not improve.
"The situation is pretty intolerable for many communities and I don't want to see things continue at their existing level."
Manchester council's trading standards office said they were aware of problems with traders selling fireworks to the public which should only be made available to qualified display organisers.

April 9 2003, ic Huddersfield, New rules to control fireworks
LAW restricting the sale of fireworks is expected to come into force any day.
And the move has been welcomed by West Yorkshire's Trading Standards officers.
The Fireworks Bill will form law limiting who can buy fireworks, when they can be sold and when they can be set off.
It follows increasing concerns about the prolonged use of fireworks by youngsters around Bonfire Night and the New Year.
Rules could also be introduced to cut the level of fireworks noise.
The Bill had its second reading on February 28 and is now at committee stage.

April 2 2003, icNewcastle, £500 fine for illegal sale
A shopkeeper was fined £500 for selling fireworks to a girl of 12. Smitra Singh of Jesmond Traders, Brentwood Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle, was charged after a crackdown by trading standards officers on suspected shops selling age-restricted goods.
The case was heard at Gosforth magistrates' court yesterday in Singh's absence. The offence was last October when officers sent the girl into the shop with instructions to buy fireworks. Zoe Franks, prosecuting for Newcastle Council, said: "The girl bought a box of fireworks from Smitra Singh."
Magistrates fined Singh £500 and ordered her to pay £92 costs. A number of shopkeepers are facing court as part of the council's crackdown on traders selling alcohol, cigarettes, fireworks and lighter fuel to children. It is an offence to sell any firework to under-18s and such items as party poppers, caps and novelty matches to under-16s. Alcohol cannot be sold to under-18s.

April 1 2003, Express and Star, Moves to tighten firework laws hailed
A councillor who launched a nationwide drive for tighter controls on firework sales has welcomed a new Parliamentary Bill on the matter.
Sandwell councillor Linda Horton started a petition in 1999.
Her petition urged the Government to restrict sales and impose time limits on firework celebrations.
The protest, which followed complaints about fireworks being sold in shops all year round and let off late at night, was soon signed by thousands of residents.
The petition called for sales to be restricted to the three weeks before Bonfire Night, and for firework parties to end at 11pm.
Only certain types of fireworks would be available over the counter, while a small number of specialist retailers would be licensed to sell display fireworks at other times of the year, such as for religious festivals.
MPs have now drawn up a Fireworks Bill which, if successful, will pave the way for the recommendations to become law.
Councillor Horton said: "The proposal has had its second reading in the House of Commons and will now be considered in detail at committee level."
Smethwick councillor Malcolm Bridges said: "Linda started the ball rolling, and I'm very glad that it has gone all the way."

April 1 2003, This is South Devon, Crackdown on fireworks
Concern about the impact on animals of the growing trend of letting off noisy fireworks throughout the year is being raised with Torbay councillors. According to RSPCA figures, 4,825 animals were treated in one year for firework related injuries or fright.
The animal charity has now produced the new report "Quiet Please", calling for a reduction in noise levels of fireworks.
A private members Bill on fireworks is currently progressing through parliament and would introduce new controls on the products. It might see restrictions on firework sales and displays.
It also aims to introduce new regulations for public firework displays to ensure that ample consideration is given to those living nearby.
Members of the council's community life committee will give their views on the Control of Fireworks Bill and discuss whether they want to support the RSPCA's call for such legislation at a meeting tomorrow.
The Bill is in its early stages and no specific details have yet been drawn up but the RSPCA, along with other animal welfare organisations, wants local authorities to show their support for the idea and for the case to take further steps.
If the Bill goes through, it could have serious consequences on the numerous informal displays held in South Devon every year to celebrate bonfire night, regattas and charity functions.
Frances Hughes of Torbay Council said: "One thing members will have to consider is the number of quite high-profile public events, where we have our own displays or they are run by local organisations, and how a Bill could affect them.
"Without knowing the specific contents of the Bill it is difficult for members to make firm decisions."
According to a MORI poll commissioned by them, 71 per cent of the public agree that loud fireworks should only be allowed at public displays.
Janet Kipling of the RSPCA in the South West said: "The Bill is a great step forward. Our concern is that it does not contain controls for loud fireworks, which animals cannot tolerate."
Chris Laurence, the RSPCA's chief veterinary officer, said: "As fireworks are used more and more, we believe urgent measures must be taken to stop distress and injury to animals."

March 31 2003, Rotherham Advertiser, Firework thrower faces jail
A judge has warned a man who injured two people with a firework that he faces jail.  Jason Bacon (32) denied two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but admitted wounding two people last November when he appeared at Sheffield Crown Court for the start of his trial last week.  Victims of the incident, Mala McBeth and Julia Pantry, were left with severe injuries, after the firework was set off, the court heard.
Bacon, of High Street, Rawmarsh, was also originally accused of offering thousands of pounds to a police officer to get a charge dismissed.  But the prosecution indicated that no evidence would be offered against him for an allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering an inducement of between £2,000 and £3,000.
Bacon, who was granted conditional bail, had sentence adjourned for a report on him to be compiled.
Judge Alan Goldsack said that Bacon had no relevant previous convictions, but prison was inevitable.

March 31 2003, This is The Black Country, Bill to limit sales
A Quinton councillor is backing fire fighters in a move to gain more control on the sale of fireworks.
Cllr John Chapman is supporting a petition being collected by the West Midlands fire service who are supporting a private member's bill to slap on more controls.
Last year the region saw 1,362 firework-related injuries and the member's bill hopes to restrict the type of fireworks available and limit the sale period to three weeks as well as give local authorities more powers to control them.
Cllr Chapman said: "I am very supportive of this move and I know many of my constituents are concerned about the constant nuisance from fireworks."
Anyone who would like to support the petition can call Cllr Chapman on 0121 303 2055.

March 29 2003, This is South Devon, Fireworks may be damp squib
Concern about the impact on animals of the growing trend of letting off noisy fireworks throughout the year is being raised with Torbay councillors.  According to RSPCA figures, 4,825 animals were treated in one year for firework related injuries or fright.  The animal charity has produced a new report 'Quiet Please' calling for a reduction in noise levels of fireworks.
A private members bill on fireworks is currently progressing through parliament and would introduce new controls on the products. It may see restrictions on firework sales and displays. It also aims to introduce new regulations for public firework displays to ensure that ample consideration is given to those living nearby.
Members of the community life select committee will give their views on the Control of Fireworks Bill and discuss whether they want to support the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal's calls for such legislation at their meeting on Wednesday.
The bill is in its early stages and no specific details have yet been drawn up but the RSPCA, along with other animal welfare organisations, want local authorities to show their support for the idea and for the case to take further steps.  If the bill goes through, it could have a serious consequences on the numerous informal displays held in South Devon every year to celebrate bonfire night, regattas and charity functions.
Frances Hughes of Torbay council said: "One thing members will have to consider is the number of quite high profile public events, where we have our own displays or they are run by local organisations, and how a bill could affect them.  "Without knowing the specific contents of the bill it is difficult for members to make firm decisions. They might want to support parts of what the RSPCA are saying or may prefer to wait until they have further information on the bill."
According to a MORI poll commissioned by them 71 per cent of the public agree that loud fireworks should only be allowed at public displays.
Janet Kipling from RSPCA South West said: "The bill is a great step forward. Our concern is that it does not contain controls for loud fireworks above 95db, which animals cannot tolerate."
Chris Laurence, the RSPCA's chief veterinary officer, said: "As fireworks are used more and more, the RSPCA believes urgent measures must be taken to stop distress and injury to animals.  "There is a voluntary ban on the fireworks industry selling fireworks louder than 120dB but suffering to animals would be reduced if these fireworks were sold only to professionals for public displays which should be organised according to strict guidelines. Also we would like to see shops selling fireworks to the public required to have a licence."

March 27 2003, Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, Fireworks boy lucky not to be banged up
TEENAGE thug William Miller has narrowly escaped a term in custody - after pushing a lit firework through a letterbox.  Sheriff John C. Morris said Miller was fortunate not to be spending time behind bars for the reckless stunt.  The Coatbridge youth only avoided being locked up because he had never been in trouble with the police before.  Instead, he was given a period of community service.
Miller (17), of Dochart Drive, Townhead, Coatbridge, appeared on deferred sentence at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week.  He had earlier admitted acting culpably and recklessly by pushing a lit firework through the letterbox of a house in Thornton Street, also Townhead, placing the occupants at risk of injury.
The incident happened on October 16, 2001, just a few weeks before Guy Fawkes Night.
Rick Ackland, defending Miller, told the court last week: "The social enquiry report has made it clear that he has never been in trouble of any kind in his life.  "Given that it is a first offence, it seems to me that this could be dealt with by way of a financial penalty."
But Sheriff Morris said a stiffer sentence was required because putting a lit firework through a door was a "serious matter".  Sentencing Miller, Sheriff Morris said: "Whether you got carried away by your friends or whatever caused this to happen I don't fully understand.  "But you did put a lit firework through the door and caused considerable anxiety and distress to the occupants.  "If it wasn't for the positive social enquiry report, I would be considering a custodial sentence.  "There are many good things in the report and, in that case, I will impose a period of community service." 
Miller was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.

March 27 2003, ManchesterOnline - News, City considers own firework laws
MANCHESTER may try to bring in a pioneering by-law to clamp down on firework louts.  The city council is prepared to act alone if a Bill to tighten laws across Britain fails through a lack of Parliamentary time.  The decision follows a long-running Manchester Evening News campaign to restrict firework sales to organisers of licensed displays.
Council leader Richard Leese said he would seek a by-law to tighten rules on who could buy fireworks and use them, but that an out-and-out ban favoured by the M.E.N. was not "the majority view" of his ruling Labour group.
"The council backs ways of bringing about more effective legislation," he said.  "People are using fireworks at anti-social times and some are now of a scale where they could be dangerous.  "But we have to ask whether we want to stop people having a bonfire in their back garden with a few fireworks - and I think the answer is No."
Parliament is considering a private member's Bill by Scottish MP Bill Tynan that would bring in much tighter rules across Britain, including an 11pm fireworks curfew and an out-and-out ban on the loudest devices.  The Bill has government backing but still has to pass through several stages in the Commons and Lords.  Council officers fear that if it is not cleared before the end of the Parliamentary session in November, it is likely to be lost.
A committee of councillors has been told to draw up a possible by-law that could be submitted to government.
The deputy prime minister John Prescott has blocked a similar move in Coventry.

March 27 2003, ManchesterOnline - News, Support grows for M.E.N. campaign
The Manchester Evening News' campaign to ban fireworks has received the backing of government minister Jeff Rooker.  Lord Rooker, the housing minister, says that legislation covering the sale of fireworks is too lax and that some legal pyrotechnics are akin to "having a mini H-bomb in your back garden."
He believes there should be tighter restrictions on fireworks being imported from China.  He said: "I am not in favour of people having fireworks in their back garden."  He agrees with the M.E.N that fireworks should be limited to public displays.   Last month, The Fireworks Bill, by Scots MP Bill Tynan, got an unopposed second reading in the Commons and is to be discussed in detail by a committee of MPs.  This means it could become law before next Bonfire Night.   The Bill would impose a curfew of 11pm throughout the year on the use of fireworks and would tighten rules on shops which sell them.
Offenders could face a £5,000 fine for serious cases of abuse and up to six months in jail.

March 27 2003, Preston Today, Firework menace - no check on many sales
Almost a third of shopkeepers in Lancashire ignored the law and sold fireworks to children, it emerged today.
The county's Trading Standards team visited shops in the run-up to Bonfire Night and found children as young as 13 carried out test purchases without having to field any questions about their age.  The problem has got dramatically worse, with just one sale out of 40 attempts in 2001.  The results were released comes just days after a shopkeeper was prosecuted.
Coun Doreen Pollitt, Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "We are very disappointed at the 10 fold increase.  "It is a criminal offence to sell fireworks to under 18s and retailers must be vigilant."
The North West has one of the country's highest rates of firework accidents, with 249 firework injuries resulting in hospital treatment.
The escalating problem led to a campaign for a change in the law, backed by mum Lorraine State, whose eight-year-old son, Carl, almost lost a hand after a huge cone shaped firework suddenly exploded.
Meanwhile, the Lancaster newsagent who sold fireworks to a 14-year-old girl during the Trading Standards sting was ordered to pay fines and costs of more than £2,700 at Lancaster.
Steven Clarke, who runs the Convenience Express shop at 12 Aldrens Lane, Skerton, Lancaster, pleaded guilty.
The court heard that the offence was discovered during a test-purchase exercise.
The 14-year-old was able to buy a pack containing five Thunderblast rockets costing £8.99 without being asked to give her age or provide proof of identification.
In his defence, Clarke told the court that the sale had taken place when he was not on the premises.
Clarke said that the girl had been served by a part-time employee.
Magistrates imposed a fine of £1,500 and ordered payment of prosecution costs of £1,271.

March 27 2003, This is Grimsby Telegraph, Measures to tackle problems
Proposed new measures to help tackle anti-social behaviour include:  Making it easier for local authorities to fine noisy neighbours £100 and confiscate stereos; put local authority tenants 'on probation' which demotes them automatically, ends their 'right to buy' and makes evictions easier. Consulting on powers to introduce housing benefit sanctions to help tackle anti-social behaviour, and giving local authorities greater powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in properties owned by private sector landlords.

New powers for environmental health officers to close noisy premises. 

Giving the police powers to close and seal crack houses within 48 hours for up to three months.

Giving the police the power to designate areas, in consultation with local authorities, where they can disperse intimidating gangs and take home unaccompanied young children out late at night.

Dealing with parents who do not control their disorderly children - firstly through offering support, then, if needed, through compulsion - parenting orders, fixed penalty notices, residential parenting classes and ultimately intensive fostering.

Tackling aggressive beggars, who intimidate and harass people and create fear in public places. Begging, already a criminal offence, will become a recordable offence, helping to tackle serious crime and enabling more effective sentences for those who require treatment for drug misuse.

Extending fixed penalty notices to disorderly 16 and 17-year-olds.

Removing automatic newspaper reporting restrictions on young people subject to anti-social behaviour orders, to send a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and to enable people to identify them.

Banning air weapons and replica guns in public places and increasing the age limit for owning air guns from 14 to 17.

Banning the sale of spray paints to under 18s and more robust powers for local authorities to deal with graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and fly-posting.

Full support for a Private Members Bill to restrict the sale and misuse of fireworks.

March 27 2003, This is Local London, Youths throw firework at class leader
A 20-year-old man in Tooting had a lucky escape after a lit firework was thrown at him when he confronted a gang of youths causing trouble.
The victim went to confront the youths after they started harassing students walking to the evening class he was running at the Church of God of Prophecy in Lynwood Road on Tuesday last week.
When he went to the entrance of the building to speak to the youths, one of the gang lit a rocket firework and threw it at him.
The victim managed to get back into the main hall without being injured. However the entrance to the hall suffered smoke damage.
One of the students at the class, who didn't wish to be named, said: "The gang were shouting and banging the door so the teacher went to tell them to go away.  "Suddenly we heard a loud bang and saw a flash and realised they had thrown a lit firework into the entrance.  "It's only small so it filled with smoke and the smoke started coming through the door into the hall. "It's such a stupid thing to do. Somebody could have been blinded if they were standing in the wrong place."

March 26 2003, This is Gloucestershire, Fireworks ruin rural calm
A Villager wants public nuisance orders to be served on neighbours who woke her and her child with a late-night firework display. The woman, of Sedgeberrow, near Evesham, said other residents recently set off fireworks as late as midnight.
She said: "People who decide to let off fireworks at this time should have public nuisance orders served on them.
"If we wanted to be woken at 10pm, we'd buy a property in the middle of town.  "Heaven knows what distress the fireworks caused to the elderly and other young children in Sedgeberrow on Saturday night."
The woman said the fireworks were particularly distressing because of the war.  She said: "The average citizen's nerves are already very edgy and this just made matters worse.  "We all buy homes in rural locations to enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside."
In January, a new bill was introduced in parliament which, if made law, would ban the sale of fireworks to the public apart from a month-long period around November 5.

March 26 2003, This is Gloucestershire, We don't want fireworks
Madam - Call me boring, call me moaning, but after a very hectic week with a young child tucked up in bed and the prospect of a nice early night, I was infuriated to find myself and my family being woken up by a Sedgeberrow resident's fireworks display which started at 10pm. People who decide to let off very noisy fireworks at 10pm (bearing in mind it's already been dark for approximately two hours) should, in my opinion, have public nuisance orders served upon them.
If we'd wanted to be woken at 10pm after a busy week, we would buy a property in the middle of a town.
Our property is well over a mile away from Sedgeberrow. Heaven only knows the distress caused to the elderly, the young children and the very tired of Sedgeberrow.
Public holidays, November 5 and Jubilee celebrations are fine but what would our lives be like if everyone let off fireworks at 10pm every Saturday night because it happened to be a celebration of some kind. This lack of consideration for others leads me to believe that these people are nothing short of show-offs. Surely we all purchase properties in rural locations in order to enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside?
Fireworks are okay but please not at 10pm, particularly when our country is at war and the average citizen's nerves are already very edgy.
Name supplied, Cheltenham.

March 25 2003, Evening Chronicle, Firework menace

Dog lover Christine Reid wants all year firework sales banned after her pet was killed when one was thrown at it.
Border terrier Sam had to be put down a week after the attack by a gang of yobs.
Disabled Christine, 49, was walking him near her home in Appleby Gardens, Howdon, in Wallsend. She said: "A bunch of teenagers came out of a shop and along the street. I walked behind them.
"Then as I turned a corner, I heard them giggling and one threw a firework which exploded, frightened the dog so badly that he took off.
"When he came back he was in a terrible state. He was shaking and frightened."
Sam, eight, was taken to a vet but no external injuries were found. However, he started having fits when he returned home. He had brain damage and was put down.
For Christine, who suffers multiple sclerosis and walks with a cane, Sam was more than just a pet. She brought the rescue dog from the Border Terrier Welfare group four years ago.
She said: "He was ideal. With me being disabled, he was like a care dog. He looked after me and helped me with my mobility. "He was always around the house to help. If I dropped something, he'd pick it up. "He meant so much to me. I have lost my best friend and I miss him terribly."

Christine now believes restrictions should be imposed on the sale of fireworks. She added: "This has to be stopped. There should be tougher restrictions on what fireworks can be bought and at what time of the year. "I don't mind them being used under in November but not the rest of the year."

March 25 2003, This is North Scotland, Teen accused of firework offence
A Potterton youth is being prosecuted for allegedly throwing a firework. Greg Morrice, 18, of 2 Edgehill Gardens, had his case continued without plea yesterday until April 14 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
He is accused of culpably and recklessly throwing a lit firework from a vehicle on to the road and into the path of other road users, or alternatively, throwing, casting or firing a firework.
The incident is said to have happened last October at Aberdeen's Beach Boulevard.

March 24 2003, icTeesside, Curb menace
At midnight on Saturday, February 22, the residents of Stainsby Hill, Thornaby, were rudely disturbed by a noisy barrage of fireworks: not the pretty hissing fireworks, but a succession of loud incessant bangers.
The initial loud rocket went dangerously close over the rooftops of the bungalows in Heathrow to land, all 2ft of it, in a resident's garden, while another one remains on a neighbouring roof. The exploding fireworks/ rockets rained alight on bungalows and gardens. The noise was deafening. Complaints about the disturbing din have been uttered over a very large area of Stainsby Hill. Why midnight? It was dark at 8pm.
Fireworks in their right place can be a joy and beautiful, but this sort of incident can only help to make legislation necessary and make fireworks restricted to public displays. In the light of such a late nuisance, the sooner the better.
JJ, Stainsby Hill, Thornaby

ONCE more our representatives in parliament are not listening to their constituents.
The letter from Dari Taylor MP (Firework Progress, 14.3.03) in response to Pearl Hall was a damp squib.
What is the power of the Firework Lobby that our MP can allow retailers to sell fireworks three weeks before November 5 and a few days after? Why this timescale?
We all know in the real world this will be ignored by unscrupulous traders who don't give a damn about the fear and nuisance they create, as long as it's money in their pocket.
My particular outrage is the distress caused to trained guide dogs.
My spring issue of the guide dog magazine Forward has this to say: "The growing use of fireworks has led to numbers of guide dogs having to be retired after being so traumatised, they are unable to continue their loving and caring work, others have to be retrained and many now have to be sedated for a longer time to help them overcome the noise."
The article ends: "We don't want to ruin people's fun, but we don't want vulnerable people's lives ruined either, and hope that 2003 will see the end of terror that guide dogs face."
What an indictment to our MPs who won't or can't stop this terror with a total public ban.
R. H. Norton

March 21 2003, icSolihull, Firework footballer admits guilt
A professional footballer who denied causing severe burns to a Castle Bromwich teenager's face with a firework has changed his plea to guilty.
Luke Rodgers, 21, of Stechford Road, Hodge Hill, who is leading scorer for Shrewsbury Town, originally denied unlawfully and maliciously causing bodily injury to 16-year-old Sarah Morris by explosion of gunpowder.
At Warwick Crown Court his barrister Gary Bell said Rodgers now accepted liability for lighting the firework which caused the injuries.
But he said the firework had not been thrown but was one of two rockets bought by Rodgers from the Spitfire pub in Castle Bromwich.
The rockets had then been put in a tube, said Mr Bell, pushed into the ground outside the pub and lit. The rocket went up but then went haywire and flew towards Miss Morris 40 or 50 yards away.
At an earlier hearing the court heard how Miss Morris needed emergency surgery and skin grafts after being hit by the firework while walking with friends in Parkfield Drive, Castle Bromwich.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Rodgers, who has no previous convictions, was granted bail.
Judge James Pyke told him: "You are not to assume at this stage that the court has any views on what your sentence should be."

March 20 2003, icBerkshire, Instant fines for thugs
THUGS, vandals and neighbours from hell are to face on-the-spot fines in the biggest ever crackdown on lawless yobs.  Slough MP Fiona Mactaggart has welcomed the tough new measures to stop anti-social behaviour unveiled by Home Secretary David Blunkett.  Police and local authorities are to get sweeping new powers to curb noisy neighbours, crack houses, graffiti, airguns and truanting children.
The MP said: "These proposals have been influenced by the response, which the people of Slough made to the Home Secretary.   "Slough people want tough measures to deal with anti-social behaviour and these proposals will deliver that. Nearly 250 people told me they wanted more police, more controls on fireworks and more effective means of stopping litter. They wanted to deal with young people hanging around and to ensure that there is more for them to do."
Under the new laws, teenagers hauled before youth courts will be named and shamed, even if they are under 18, and noisy tenants will be forced to pay £100 instant fines or have their housing benefit stopped.
Miss Mactaggart added: "This government has made significant progress in cutting crime, which is now falling in Slough too. These proposals will make a difference, helping to turn our communities into safe, clean places to live and work, free from harassment, fear and intimidation."

March 20 2003, This is Worthing, Fireworks hooligans slammed
An MP has condemned hooligans accused of aiming fireworks at passing aircraft.  Tim Loughton said their actions at a time of the Iraq crisis was completely irresponsible.  He spoke out after police were called to Connaught Avenue, Shoreham, by worried residents.  They claimed rockets were deliberately being launched as planes from nearby Shoreham airport flew overhead. Police spoke to a man who denied aiming the fireworks at aircraft and said he was having a party.
Sergeant Ian Cooke, of Shoreham police, said: "We received a call that somebody was deliberately aiming firework rockets at aircraft from Connaught Avenue.   "Officers spoke to a man who denied that he was deliberately firing at planes."
Mr Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: "This takes mindless hooliganism to new heights and is entirely irresponsible behaviour.  "It is particularly disturbing this should take place at a time of heightened terrorism alert and in view of what is happening in Iraq at the moment."
Security at all British airports has been stepped up in response to possible terrorist attacks as the Gulf crisis intensifies.
Shoreham airport could be seen as a possible target as military vehicles, believed to be being prepared for action in the desert, have been seen at the airport in the past few weeks.
Mrs Rosemary Wetton, 84, of Connaught Avenue, said: "I heard the rockets going off but I did not see where they came from."
Airport manager John Haffenden was away at a conference yesterday and nobody else was available for comment on the incident.

March 19 2003, icNewcastle, Man in court over firework
A man has appeared in court after a firework was blasted through an elderly woman's bedroom window.
Mark Brereton, 42, is charged with arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the incident, which happened last year.
Evelyn McDade was left terrified when a rocket smashed through the window of her 10th-floor tower block home on September 22.  The pensioner escaped the blaze. which destroyed her bedroom in The Spinney, Newton Place. High Heaton, Newcastle.  She lost all her clothes, personal papers and photographs as her bed, wardrobe and other furniture was destroyed in the blaze.
Mrs McDade has since been rehoused in the same tower block. Police were called to the scene when residents reported what they thought was gunfire between 9pm and 10pm.
Powerful fireworks were being set off from the garden area outside the High Heaton tenants club.
Richard Haswell, representing Brereton, said his client denied the offence.  Mr Haswell said: "He has said he should be recruited for the Iraq conflict if he could fire rocket through a 10th floor of a building."  Brereton. of Thropton Terrace, Heaton was released on conditional bail until April 2.
A 22-year-old Newcastle man has also been arrested pending further inquiries.

March 18 2003, icLiverpool, Your Letters, Firework ban
I HOPE the Private Member's Bill to put tighter restraints on the sale of fireworks succeeds.   The use of fireworks causes untold terror and misery to animals, not to mention those scarred for life following accidents.
It also exploits those in Third World countries, many of them children, who work in dangerous conditions to make them.  S. M. T. Anfield

March 17 2003, Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds MP backs YEP Campaign
A PETITION backing the Yorkshire Evening Post's Keep the Fireworks until Bonfire Night campaign has been launched by a Leeds MP.
Paul Truswell, MP for Pudsey, has already pledged his backing to the RSPCA's Quiet Please campaign, which seeks to limit the noise of fireworks.
He has now launched a petition to enable his constituents to voice their demands for tougher regulations to combat firework abuse which he will present to the House of Commons. Animal lovers in West Yorkshire are being urged to lend their support.
Mr Truswell raised the issue during last month's Parliamentary debate over a new Fireworks Bill put forward by Bill Tynan, MP for Hamilton South.
He argues that any Bill which becomes law must tackle the noise issue for the sake of both people and their pets.
He said: "Of all the aspects of firework nuisance that need to be addressed, what really gets under the skin of the people in my constituency and the rest of the country is noise, noise and even more noise.  "This is why I am very attracted by the RSPCA's campaign to reduce the noise levels of fireworks available to the general public.  "Even with legislation, enforcement is an issue and a problem. It is not always easy to identify or apprehend abusers of fireworks.  "Limiting the noise levels, however, of fireworks available to the general public would go some way towards tackling the main source of the problem."
Helping Mr Truswell to launch the petition was Graham Hoult, of the Wharfe Valley Cats Protection, and Clarence, one of the many cats the group has rescued.  He said: "Fireworks can create an absolute nightmare for people and animals.  "When I was young, you had fireworks on a couple of days around Bonfire Night, and you could make allowances.  "Now it's all year round."
The YEP has won universal praise for its Save The Fireworks For Bonfire Night campaign which was launched last September.
A number of our proposals have been incorporated into Mr Tynan's Fireworks Bill, which is due to be considered by the House of Lords after a successful passage through the Commons.

March 14 2003, EDP24, Seaside boom-bang-a-bang mystery
Mystery surrounds the source of rocket-like explosions over Cromer town centre yesterday afternoon.  Booms were heard in the sky at 1.30pm and 3.30pm - which many people, including crewmen, initially thought were lifeboat maroons.  But lifeboat officials, coastguards and police all denied knowledge of the bangs - and were baffled by who or what caused them.
Cromer shopkeeper Bill Murray, who found a piece of shrapnel in the street shortly after the first explosion, was concerned at the authorities not being able to find the cause of the explosions "at a time when we are on the brink of going to war".
The aluminium casing, which had been blown apart, and contained a hole possibly used for detonation, fell in Chapel Street after the first single bang.
Mr Murray, who runs the Crossways tobacconist shop, said he originally thought it was a sheet of metal falling off a lorry as there were many trucks doing regeneration roadworks around town.
Lifeboat crewman and fisherman John Davies said crowds of people flocked to the clifftop thinking the lifeboat was about to launch - and several crew colleagues dashed down believing the maroons had been fired.
Lifeboat administration officer Peter Stibbons said he reported the first boom to the police, suspecting a malicious firing of a maroon - and was concerned about anyone who might be messing around with explosives.
While Mr Murray was telling his story to the EDP, a second rocket went off above the rooftops - a whoosh followed by four bangs.
Crab shop assistant Rose Ely saw "four puffs of grey smoke" in the sky, from Davies' wet fish shop in Garden Street.  Mr Murray said some people had shown concern, but others had just taken the booms in their stride as maroons were often heard above the lifeboat town.
Police are due to inspect the shrapnel today, but around town theories include youngsters setting off flares and fireworks.
Cromer's Mayor is also at the centre of another noise mystery. Keith Johnson and his partner Andrea Sutton were woken from their bed at Compit Hills in the early hours of Wednesday by a noise which she said sounded like "a pack of dogs in an echoey room and a loud humming".
Ms Sutton said she could still hear the noise between 1am and 4.40am, even with earplugs in.
They even went for a nightime walk trying to trace the source, which sounded like it was coming from the East Runton direction.
Anyone who can shed light on either mystery can contact the EDP newsroom at Cromer by calling 01263 512732.

March 14 2003, icTeesside, Firework progress
I would like to respond to the slightly pessimistic response of Pearl Hall (Hardly A Sparkler, News, 22.2.03) to the Fireworks Bill, which is currently before Parliament.
While I understand Mrs Hall's desire to see a total ban on domestic sales of fireworks, I do not believe such a policy would be deliverable or desirable. The misbehaviour of a few yobs should not prevent decent families from holding small firework parties around the time of November 5. So I would not support a total ban.
But I am concerned that strong action should be taken to seriously restrict the use and availability of fireworks, which are currently a source of anti-social behaviour. I have received numerous complaints from constituents over the past year and more, complaining at the misuse of fireworks - often by youngsters and late at night.
The Fireworks Bill will address that problem by making it illegal for retailers to sell fireworks outside the three weeks before November 5 (and a few days after), and will prohibit their sale to under-18s at any time. In addition, the Bill gives the police greater powers to curb nuisance behaviour by making it illegal to let off fireworks between 11pm and 7am without council permission.
These restrictions will no doubt be welcomed by my constituents and by people throughout Britain.
DARI TAYLOR MP, Stockton South

FIREWORKS should be banned to the general public, they should be for display shows only.
We live in an end terrace house and get all the trouble like fireworks thrown at windows. We have had two fireworks put through our letter box and we now have to tape it up for safety's sake weeks before and after November 5.
P and M P. Thornaby

March 13 2003, This is Leicestershire, Stealth Tax on shops
How typical of the Government to introduce a stealth tax of £600 to allow shops to sell fireworks all the year round and how very unfair to the smaller shopkeeper. Fireworks should only be sold around bonfire night.
M. G. P. Wigston.

March 12 2003, icTeesside, Crackdown on yob culture
Yobs as young as 16 are to face fines of up to £80 under moves to crack down on anti-social behaviour, Home Secretary David Blunkett confirmed today. Mr Blunkett said thuggish behaviour, vandalism and begging in Britain's communities can lead to a "climate of lawlessness" that criminals exploit.
Ahead of today's White Paper on anti-social behaviour, he said parents who refuse help to control their tearaway children will face "serious consequences". He said: "I want 16 and 17-year-olds to receive fixed penalty notices of up to £80 for offences such as causing alarm or harassment, throwing fireworks or being drunk and disorderly."
The Home Secretary also revealed that police will get new powers to close down crack dens within 48 hours. "They will be sealed for three months so the dealers cannot simply move back," he said.
Councils will have powers to fine noisy neighbours and close down pubs and clubs that shatter communities' peace.  Despite the chances of being a victim of crime being at its lowest for 20 years, he said "it doesn't always feel like that.  "For too long some of our public services have shrugged their shoulders at this low-level thuggery and said it's somebody else's responsibility. It's not - we all need to play a part in tackling this scourge.
"People cannot continue to expect something for nothing - they must realise rights in our communities can only come when they take responsibility for their actions and neighbourhood."
Mr Blunkett added: "Low-level thuggery is not a victimless crime. For too long people have not had their voices heard."
Prime Minister Tony Blair has described anti-social behaviour as "probably the biggest immediate issue for people in the country".
A leak of the White Paper last week suggested ministers were considering allowing police and other officials to hand out fines to children as young as ten.
Begging would also lead to a criminal record. New penalty notices could cover truancy, criminal damage and even cycling on the pavement. Parents would be expected to pay the penalties for those under 16 and for those aged 16 to 17 if the offenders had no income, it said.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "There should be no presumption that any early draft of a White Paper represents the Government's plan or final position."
Harry Fletcher, of the probation union NAPO, said enforcing the proposals would require an "army" of community support officers - wardens with limited powers to detain suspects introduced last year.
Westminster Council has asked for the opportunity to pilot some of the measures.