SHOPS across east Cheshire were tested for selling fireworks to under-age people, with the one shop that was tested in Middlewich passing.

 

Cheshire East Council trading standards team ran its annual operation to counter illegal sales of fireworks to under-age people on Monday, October 26.

 

As part of Operation Sheldon the team visited 20 premises across the borough including one shop in Middlewich, using volunteers under the age of 18 attempting to buy fireworks.

 

Of the 20 premises that were tested, 16 passed including the Middlewich shop and four sales were made at outlets in Knutsford and Crewe.

 

The council will now be conducting interviews and full investigations into the sales as well as notifying the premises that passed and complied with the legislation.

 

Cllr Les Gilbert, portfolio holder for communities, said: “The council takes the sale of fireworks to under-age people extremely seriously. These fireworks attract a high risk of danger and injury to the person wielding the fireworks and the public and are best handled by a responsible adult. 

 

“Children are unlikely to read the instructions fully and act responsibly when using fireworks, hence the age restriction associated with such products.

 

“We will now investigate these four incidents of sales and take any appropriate action.”

 

Anyone with concerns about the sale of fireworks should contact Trading Standards on 03454 040506.