A HASLINGDEN youngster has received hospital treatment for firework burns to his hands.

The boy, aged about 12, suffered the injury when playing with fireworks on land off Willow Street.

A local resident put the child's hand in a bowl of water until the ambulance service arrived and took him to Fairview Hospital, Rochdale.

He was allowed home after treatment. The accident came as a warning went out about the dangers of bonfires and fireworks from the fire service.

Peter Holland, chief fire officer of Lancashire fire and rescue service, said: "Bonfire Night is traditionally a busy evening for us and last year was no exception, in spite of heavy rain, with 112 bonfires to extinguish that had got out of control. Firework injuries keep Lancashire hospitals' accident and emergency departments among the busiest in the country."

Last year 18-year-old Paul Ridge, from Burnley, died when a firework exploded in his face.

It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy a firework

Trading standards bosses are also advising people to be careful around fireworks.

Jim Potts, chief trading standards officer for Lancashire County Council, said: "You can buy a pack of four exploding, or air bomb, fireworks for 99p, which brings them down to pocket-money prices.

"We find these are the ones that find themselves in youngsters' and mischief-makers' hands.

"People should think twice before buying fireworks, and go to an organised display, where they are not running the danger of injuries.

"They should also follow the fireworks code."