A SMALL number of York shops are still selling fireworks to under-18s - despite a nationwide crackdown on their purchase and use.

The Evening Press joined council trading standards officers and a teenage volunteer on a day of carefully-planned "test purchase" visits across the city. They discovered that two out of the 12 outlets visited were willing to sell a £20 family box of fireworks to the 15-year-old.

The stores, which we have been asked not to identify as they face immediate legal action, could now face a fine of up to £5,000 or even six months in prison. It is illegal for under-18s to purchase or carry fireworks in a public place.

Officers were surprised that some shop staff had failed to heed the strict message of new laws that place more of an obligation on them to check the age of customers.

At one shop, the teenager was asked if he planned to set them off on Bonfire Night. After replying that he did, the assistant said: "It doesn't really matter to me, I don't live around here anyway."

Principal trading standards officer Matthew Boxall, of City of York Council, said he was "disappointed" by the attitude of some retailers.

He said: "It's a shame that two shops have sold fireworks, but this serves as a warning to other shops that we are out there and are taking action to clamp down on offenders. We will be continuing our test purchases throughout the fireworks season. We take the sale of fireworks to children extremely seriously.

"This is the latest step of a campaign of enforcement and education, as well as licensing, that aims to limit the sale of fireworks."

Mr Boxall said officers are also checking that fireworks are stored safely. Most stores can only stock up to 250kgs of fireworks, with a maximum of 50kg on display. Firework stores must get a licence from the local authority.

Last year, York residents endured a series of firework-related crimes, including powerful explosions that ripped apart a number of phone boxes and bins.

Safer York Partnership today launched a campaign to clamp down on "missile mayhem" caused by eggs, flour, matches and fireworks as Hallowe'en approaches.

As revealed in the Evening Press last week, York Police have joined forces with shop owners to try and stem the supply of troublesome materials to under-16s.

Updated: 10:19 Thursday, October 28, 2004