A FORMER Nelson shopkeeper has been fined £250 with £50 costs after pleading guilty to selling a firework to an under-aged person.

Mohammed Yub admitted selling the Standard Icicle Roman Candle to a 15-year-old girl at his former Reedyford Road General Stores and Off Licence on November 4, 2003.

Reedley magistrates heard trading standards officers had sent the teenager into the shop to attempt to buy fireworks.

Yub, of Harvey Street, Nelson, was not in the shop and the girl was served by a member of staff who failed to ask for identification. She bought the 6in cubed firework costing £10.99.

The 42-year-old told the court he subsequently sacked the member of staff responsible and had sold the business in April after the death of his mother.

David Johnnie, trading standards officer responsible for age restricted legislation, welcomed the verdict and said fireworks had an 18-year-old age restriction for a reason.

He said: "Year on year, young people are injured both through the legitimate use and sometimes misuse of fireworks."