Store Manager Jim Moir, PC Mark Green of Strathclyde Police, Craig McClue of South Ayrshire Council Trading Standards and Howard Ferguson of Morrisons
In the lead up to Bonfire Night this Friday, South Ayrshire Council and Strathclyde Police are working together to ensure you remember remember the fifth of November for all the right reasons.
The Council and police have been conducting annual firework safety checks across South Ayrshire, ensuring retailers uphold safety standards and stay within the law when storing, displaying and selling fireworks to the public.
Trading standards officers have also been putting retailers to the test with 'undercover' purchasing using young volunteers.
Councillor Peter Convery, South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and the Environment, said: "Bonfire Night is a great tradition that can be fun and safe and that's what these checks are designed to achieve. It's easy to think of fireworks as something exciting but it's vital we also remember they are actually explosives and can cause great harm and injury if handled incorrectly.
'Through our combined efforts we want to ensure only the right products are being sold, in the right places, at the right time – as there is a restricted period for sale – and to the right people.
"Bonfire Night can be a great celebration and whether attending an organised display or a private fireworks event, please ensure you stay safe and don't end up remembering the fifth of November for the wrong reasons."
PC Mark Green said: "Strathclyde Police are pleased to be working in partnership with South Ayrshire Council on this initiative. We would take this opportunity to remind residents that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks and setting them off after 11pm is prohibited, except for Bonfire Night."
The permitted firework selling period for Bonfire Night is between 15 October and 10 November only. Fireworks sellers must be registered or licensed and ensure storage conditions within the premises are safe. Only fireworks complying with the British Standard can be sold and certain types of firework, such as bangers and air-bombs, are banned. The legal age to purchase fireworks is 18 years and retailers are encouraged to request proof of age from anyone who appears to be under the age of 21.
Any concerns about the sale of fireworks should be directed to South Ayrshire Council's Trading Standards team on 01292 616060.