THIS boy has suffered the horrific consequences of playing with fireworks.

Michael Hewitt, aged 11, was badly injured when a rocket he found on the street exploded in his hand.

Surgeons are still assessing the extent of the his injuries but say the accident shattered four of his fingers. He may also have to undergo skin grafts.

Today, as Michael was recovering in hospital, police mounted a crackdown on rogue shopkeepers who they claim are "putting profit before lives" by selling potentially deadly fireworks to children as young as nine. Michael, of Greenroyd Avenue, Breightmet, was playing with his brothers near their home when he found a rocket on the ground near a bus shelter in New Lane.

He used a cigarette lighter to light the firework which exploded in his hand within seconds.

Michael ran home with his brothers Joseph, aged 12, Jordan, six, and four-year-old Reece.

His father Joe, aged 36, said: "Michael's hand was a mess. It looked like it had completely exploded and there was blood everywhere.

"He was in a lot of pain and was given a big dose of morphine when he got to the hospital. It was a shock for us and his brothers who saw what happened.

"Like a lot of children he is fascinated by fire and is always trying to get his hands on lighters. But I think this will teach him how dangerous it is."

He added: "I hope Michael's injuries will get the message across to other children that playing with fireworks is very dangerous."

Mr Hewitt and wife Jeanette took their son to the Royal Bolton Hospital. But the Top-O-th-Brow School pupil was then transferred to Booth Hall Children's's Hospital and on to Withington Hospital for specialist burns treatment.

Today fire chiefs renewed appeals warning children of the dangers of playing with fireworks.

Fire officer James Smethurst said: "This latest accident highlights the dangers of children having fireworks unsupervised. It was extremely irresponsible that someone had left a firework lying around like this.

"Our view is that it is much safer to go to official firework displays than to buy them yourself as they can be very dangerous and cause serious injuries."

Police were today targeting shopkeepers who are selling fireworks to children aged as young as nine.

Shops in Deane and Great Lever are being targeted in the police crackdown after an increase in incidents of fireworks being thrown at people or property.

Anyone with information about rogue firework traders is asked to contact Bolton Police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.