ALCOHOL and fireworks are potentially a lethal cocktail, a Darwen police inspector warned today.

Insp Andrea Bradbury said officers were mounting patrols to stop youths putting themselves and others at risk by playing with fireworks.

She said they would issue fixed penalty notices to anyone messing about with fireworks on the streets and any alcohol being consumed by youngsters would be confiscated.

She also urged parents to ensure their children acted responsibly in the run up to Bonfire Night and called for them to go to the display at Witton Park on November 5 rather than bring fireworks home for private use.

She said: "This is a special request to parents to be extra vigilant this half term holiday as this year it has fallen so close to Bonfire Night. Half-term coupled with Bonfire Night and under-age drinking is causing us concern.

"We are constantly seizing alcohol from children who are drinking it on the streets in Darwen and are particularly concerned about this when fireworks are also on sale. We have already confiscated tons of alcohol from under-age drinkers and want to warn our youngsters that fireworks and alcohol do not mix. It would be really helpful if parents would co-operate with the police and help us reduce the number of anti-social incidents in the run up to Bonfire Night."

During the past two weekends officers have seized a selection of alcohol, including lager, vodka, wine and alcopops, from youths in the streets and parks.

Insp Bradbury said officers would target people who set off fireworks irresponsibly and said there were a number of offences that people could be committing such as setting off fireworks in a street or selling fireworks to under-age children.

She added: "Darwen police are working closely with Trading Standards to ensure no fireworks are sold to under-age children. Fireworks are extremely dangerous and we will not tolerate their misuse in Darwen."