EARLY bonfire revellers are being warned they could face big fines.

During the past week Bolton firefighters have been called out on "countless" occasions to tend to early bonfires.

Now a Bolton fire station boss is advising the eager Guy Fawkes' revellers to wait until November 5.

If not, Station Officer Roy Higson, has warned, they could face fines of up to £5,000 - or the possibility of causing the death of an innocent victim. He said: "By making bonfires more than a week early these people are alerting panic among nearby residents who do not realise what is going on.

"We are being called out to these bonfires by worried neighbours. Even though the fires may be perfectly controlled, they are causing concern to those who live close by.

"Smoke is spreading into nearby houses and although people put up with this on Bonfire Night, they do not expect it more than a week early.

"Worse than that, though, while we are attending these bonfires, there could be far more genuine emergencies we could be at.

"Thankfully this has not happened yet, but by having to go out on early bonfires, our resources are being stretched and somebody could be killed.

"In addition, many people do not realise that by discharging fireworks in the street, they are not only creating a danger, but could face fines of thousands of pounds.

"All we ask is that people behave responsibly - and wait for Bonfire Night". YOUNG firebugs who threw fireworks into an extractor fan started a blaze which badly damaged a classroom at an Eccles school.

The youths are thought to have caused the fire which hit Wentworth High School late Saturday night.

Firefighters attended and confined damage to one ground floor classroom.

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