AN MP is demanding a change in the law which allows unscrupulous traders to make "a quick killing" selling potentially deadly fireworks.

Bolton's David Crausby wants the Government to clamp down on rogue traders renting cheap premises in the town in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night.

He has accused the traders of putting profit before the lives of Bolton children.

Mr Crausby believes people are at risk because the shops are not subjected to strict enough checks before a licence to sell is granted.

And the Bolton North-east MP said he was worried about more accidents in the run up to Bonfire Night.

Last autumn a 12-year-old Little Lever boy, Andrew Worden, needed plastic surgery after a firework exploded in his hand and a gas main was set fire to by children playing with fireworks.

Mr Crausby, who supported the BEN's 3,500 name petition in 1999 calling for a ban on fireworks, said: "We are all working hard to reduce the possible dangers and injuries caused, particularly to young children, by fireworks.

"We are also trying to educate people about the fear caused to some elderly people and also to pets.

"I don't think local arrangements are adequate. We need to address the issue of outside traders renting cheap premises just weeks before Bonfire Night."

He added: "Health and safety is a major issue with the storage of fireworks and arrangements must not be rushed simply to accommodate these occasional traders.

"I for one would be far more comfortable restricting the sale of fireworks to local businesses who trade in Bolton year in year out, have links with the community and are not here just for a quick commercial killing."

Currently anyone wanting to sell fireworks only has to fill in an application form to the Greater Manchester Fire Service and pay £12. They are also sent leaflets telling them how to store the fireworks and are subject to possible random inspections.

But Mr Crausby said these regulations did not go far enough to protect the public from unscrupulous businessmen. He said: "Checks are not made unless the fire service receives a complaint and this is not acceptable."

He added that ideas to tackle the problem were already being discussed already with the Department of Trade and Industry. But any reform will require a change in the law.

A Greater Manchester Fire Service spokesman admitted that fireworks were a big problem in Bolton but added the number of incidents in the town had almost halved in recent years.

Latest figures showed that in 1999 firefighters were called out to 71 firework related incidents in the town, compared to 160 incidents recorded in 1997.

The spokesman added: "We are always available for any advice regarding the sale of fireworks and the organisation of bonfire events.

"But the best advice we can give is to make sure you attend an organised event."