A MOTHER has warned of the "damaging impact" of explosives after a firework was set off less than one metre away from her home.

The Taylor-Scott family and neighbours in nearby properties were woken from their sleep suddenly when a huge bang sounded in the early hours of the morning.

Mum-of-two Charlotte Taylor, of Chapelfield, Radcliffe, said her seven-year-old daughter has been left "frightened" by the incident. Evie, who attends Cams Lane Primary School, was sleeping in the bedroom just metres above where the explosive was ignited.

“We had no idea what was going on", Miss Taylor said. "There was this explosion. The neighbours thought there was an electrical fire in their homes.

“My daughter freaked out. She is now scared of going into her bedroom on her own because she thought someone was trying to burn the house down.

“With bonfire night coming up and fireworks being on sale, it is worrying.

"We got lucky — it could have been put through our letterbox."

The celebration firecracker was set alight outside the family's kitchen window at about 4.30am on Friday, October 5, causing burn marks to the floor.

Warnings on the box packaging advised that the explosives be lit at a minimum safety distance of 25m.

Miss Taylor called 999 immediately, and said that fire crews attended within 15 minutes. A police officer also visited the family shortly after.

In the United Kington, it is against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight, and on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.

Miss Taylor, who lives with fiancé Martin Scott and their children Evie and four-year-old Oliver Taylor-Scott, has warned against illegal use of fireworks, and spoken out in the hope of raising awareness of the impact that misuse can have.

She said: "I just hope someone reads this and realises the impact. Fireworks are not toys. They are dangerous explosives. They come with warnings for a reason."

A police spokeswoman said: "At around 4.45am police were called after a box of firecrackers was set off outside the window of a property on Chapelfield.

"No one was injured."

In the run-up to Guy Fawkes Night, fireworks, including sparklers, can be purchased from registered sellers for private use between October 15 and November 10.

Illegal use or sale of fireworks is punishable by a £5,000 fine, six-month imprisonment, or on-the-spot fine of £90.