TWO pubs were evacuated after yobs put customers in danger by setting off fireworks.

Staff and regulars at the Tinker and Budget, and the Bay Horse, both in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, raised the alarm after hearing explosions.

Police and fire crews were called at 11am on Wednesday and found that fireworks had been set off in both pubs.

At the Tinker and Budget, a window was smashed, and a firework badly damaged a toilet.

At the Bay Horse, fireworks were set off in the toilet and also the cellar.

Fire officers have issued a warning against misusing fireworks.

Gemma Worth, the Bay Horse licensee's daughter, said: "The toilet's a wrecked now.

"There was no damage to the cellars but there could have been an explosion because of the gases down there."

"There were quite a few people in, and they all had to leave."

The fireworks were set off in the Bay Horse at about 11.15am, and in the Tinker and Budget soon afterwards.

In the Tinker and Budget, drinkers were told to leave by manager Paul Burrows after smoke from a firework set off in the toilets filled the bar.

Mr Burrows said: "Fortunately, nobody was hurt."

Last month, police in Accrington launched Operation Explode, a drive to cut down on the general misuse of fireworks across the area.

And today, a spokesman for Lancashire Fire Service said: "We wouldn't consider giving a toddler a mug of hot tea, and yet we allow them to have a hot sparkler which gets as hot as a welding iron.

"There is an attraction to fireworks but they're an explosive device with inherent dangers."

A man arrested after the incidents has been released on police bail, pending further inquiries.