AN angry pensioner has called for a tough crackdown on firework sales after suffering two weeks of misery - with bonfire night still more than a fortnight away.

The frightened 69-year-old, who does not want to be named, phoned the BEN to complain after nights of torment for her and her pet dog.

The woman, who lives in Astley Bridge, said: "I'm sick and tired of it already, and there's still two weeks to go until bonfire night. Why can't they wait until the night itself and give us all a break?"

The woman says she has put up with a daily salvo of fireworks being set off by youngsters and thrown around near her home.

She added: "I have called the police but they say there's nothing they can do." A Bolton trading standards spokesman said that the Government and manufacturers operate a voluntary agreement that fireworks should not be sold until three weeks before November 5. But it cannot be legally enforced if it is breached. A plan to create a local by-law in Bolton to restrict sales to just three days before bonfire night was abandoned because legal experts said it would be impractical to implement.

By law fireworks must not be sold to under 16s.

Greater Manchester Police have stressed that throwing fireworks in a public place is a criminal offence.

They have advised anyone experiencing persistent firework problems to contact their local police.

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