WIRRAL shopkeepers are being warned about selling fireworks without a special licence.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is reminding businesses that it is illegal to sell fireworks from now until October unless they have a permit.
It comes after a local tradesman pleaded guilty to selling them at his shop in Bidston outside the designated sales period and without a supply licence.
To sell fireworks all year round businesses must apply for the permit which costs £500. Those who fail to comply with the rules face a £5,000 fine and up to six months in prison.
Without it they can only sell them during four periods in the year, which are: over the bonfire period from October 15 to November 10; from Boxing Day to New Year’s Eve; the day of Chinese New Year and the preceding three days as well as the day of Diwali and the preceding three days.
Balraj Singh Samra, 41, appeared at Wirral Magistrates Court on January 5 charged with the supply of fireworks at his store, the Happy Shopper on Hoylake Road, Bidston, on April 29 last year, which was outside of the allowed sales period.
Samra, of Hoylake Road, was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £200 costs.
The prosecution was brought by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Mike Kirby, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service watch manager, said: “All firework retailers within Merseyside must operate within the law.
“Failure to do so is a public safety concern of paramount importance to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and therefore we will always take action against offenders.”