Hertfordshire Trading Standards is urging shopkeepers stocking fireworks not to sell to anyone under 18.

This follows an undercover operation in the week leading up to Halloween, in which three stores sold fireworks to volunteers aged under 18 posing as customers.

During the operation, twenty shops in Stevenage, Dacorum, Hertsmere and Broxbourne were visited. Three of the shops broke the law by selling fireworks illegally, in Tring, Broxbourne and Hertsmere.

Further operations of this kind are planned over the next fortnight, focusing on specific areas where anti-social use of fireworks has caused problems.

County Councillor Richard Smith, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: “While most shopkeepers are responsible, there are still some that seem to think that they can flout the law. Selling fireworks illegally will not be tolerated.”

He reminded shopkeepers that “if someone looks under 21, ask for identification. If their staff fail to do so, business owners are at risk of landing themselves a heavy fine".

Shops should only accept passports, photo driving licenses and proof of age cards as valid IDs.

Members of the public with concerns about the safety or storage of fireworks, or of sales of fireworks to young people can contact Trading Standards via Consumer Direct, telephone: 08454 040506 (or by text phone on 0845 1281384), 8am-6.30pm Monday-Friday, and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

Hertfordshire businesses requiring advice on the law regarding fireworks can contact Trading Standards, telephone: 01727 813849.