A SCHOOLBOY frantically dipped his hand into puddles of rainwater after a firework exploded in his hand. Jordan Atherton feared he could have been maimed.

His burned and painful hand "swelled up like a balloon" and he thought he might lose fingers or be badly disfigured.

And today the 13-year-old from Masefield Drive, Farnworth, vowed: "I've learned my lesson. The only fireworks I'll be watching now will be at organised displays."

The teenager was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with burns, but luckily he was not seriously injured.

Fire chiefs warned people against playing with fireworks. Paul Duggan, of Greater Manchester Fire Service, said: "A firework's ability to injure should never be underestimated."

Jordan had picked up the banger-type firework while playing with a group of friends. He re-lit it and it exploded in his hand.

"I remember a huge bang and not being able to hear anything because of the explosion," he said.

"My hand swelled up like a balloon and it was really hurting. I had to dip it into puddles of water to lessen the pain."

It is the first serious firework-related accident this year in Bolton during the countdown to Bonfire Night.

The accident happened at 7pm, on Saturday, when the Harper Green School pupil was playing with friends in Westland Avenue, Farnworth.

Jordan's parents were shocked after hearing at first that their son might have lost his hand - and relieved when they were told later that his injuries were not serious.

His father Sean has called for tighter laws to stop children getting hold of fireworks.

"I would like the age limit raised to 21 as people are a lot more mature then," he said.

"Jordan's been incredibly lucky and I'm angry that these fireworks are far too easily accessible."

Jordan's father said: "Jordan got off very lightly. He could quite easily have been left with three fingers. I hope this serves as a message to other children about the damage fireworks can cause."

New Government legislation has made it illegal for under-18s to have fireworks in a public place. And traders have been banned from selling fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.

Trading standards officers in Bolton are carrying out spot checks to root out any rogue traders selling fireworks to children.

Last year, there were 207 firework-related accidents in Greater Manchester, more than double the previous year's figures.

After Jordan's injury, fire chiefs urged youngsters to treat fireworks with respect.

Fire chief Mr Duggan said: "You should never go back to a burning firework otherwise you run the risk of being seriously injured, as demonstrated by what happened to Jordan.

"This is an unfortunate incident which serves to highlight the potential dangers of handling fireworks.

"Anyone using fireworks should always remember to follow the fireworks code."

A victim from last year, Stuart Harvey-Hamilton, aged 15, is backing a campaign to prevent sales of fireworks to children.

The Bury teenager now wears a hook after losing the fingers of his right hand when a firework exploded while he held it.