A MOTHER is calling for firework laws to be changed after a rocket thrown towards her daughter exploded against her leg.

Andrea Scholes wants legislation introduced so that fireworks should only be sold on November 5.

Her call comes after a firework hit her 13-year-old daughter Sara-Nicole's leg, while she was standing outside her Norden Court home in Great Lever.

The firework -- a type of rocket -- seared through Sara-Nicole's trousers, and burnt her leg so badly it turned black. Doctors told her she will be scarred for the next couple of years.

Receptionist Mrs Scholes, aged 31, said: "She was walking out of my house and there was a gang of lads standing at the side. One of the lads shouted and then a firework was thrown at her leg. It actually exploded on her leg and at first she thought the firework had gone through her leg."

Sara-Nicole began screaming in pain and the explosion caused her leg to turn back. She was rushed to hospital where doctors told her she would have scar tissue for the next two years.

The Smithills School pupil is still bruised and wearing dressings on her leg.

Sara-Nicole said: "I saw something coming at me but I just couldn't move. When the firework went into my leg I couldn't say anything for a couple of minutes, then I started screaming.

"I used to enjoy going to Bonfire nights but I do not like them now."

Mrs Scholes said the laws governing fireworks should be tightened up and she thinks youngsters can obtain fireworks far too easily. She now will not let her youngest child Thomas, aged seven, out when fireworks are being set off.

She said: "I want to raise awareness of the damage fireworks can do. That firework could have gone into a child's face. The laws should be changed so they cannot be sold until the day of bonfire night.

"Some shopkeepers have been selling fireworks for the past six weeks. In my opinion they are just putting profit before children's safety. Profits should not come into it when we are talking about children's lives."

A police spokesman said they were investigating the incident.