A ban on two of the most popular types of fireworks has been announced, after they were linked to hundreds of injuries last year.

'Air bombs' - a kind of cheap, noisy Roman candle - and 'screaming rockets' are to be outlawed by the firework industry, with government legislation to follow.

On-the-spot fines of �40 will be enforced in pilot areas for over-18s caught throwing fireworks in the street.

The measures are being introduced after the number of firework injuries rose 40% in 2001 to 1,362 - the highest level since 1995.

The British Fireworks Association told BBC News Online that air bombs and screaming rockets were involved in a third of all injuries, often because they were misused by "hooligans".

Misused

Although the ban will not be introduced until January, long after Guy Fawkes night, the British Fireworks Association said sales of air bombs and screaming rockets were already being cut.

Teenagers messing around with fireworks...are likely to spend Bonfire Night in casualty or worse

Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson

They have frequently been misused, with some teenagers pointing or throwing them at people, causing serious injuries.

Association chairman John Woodhead said: "We had had so much flack as an industry last year that we decided to do something about it.

"There was a big increase in accidents caused by hooligans with fireworks and we wanted to put a voluntary ban in place."

Apart from reducing injuries, the ban is also aimed at cutting the number of loud explosions that cause complaints about noise and nuisance every firework season.

'Messing around'

The government's annual firework safety campaign is targeting young people in particular.

Figures showed the number of injuries among young teenagers rose by 50% last year - the biggest increase for seven years.

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The campaign's slogan is: "Fool with fireworks and bang goes your image".

Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson said: "Teenagers thinking of messing around with fireworks this year should think again.

"They are likely to spend Bonfire Night in casualty departments or worse."

Ms Johnson said the 5 November celebrations are too often blighted by the "noise and nuisance" of misused fireworks.

She said: "It's vital we crack down on this problem, but also educate people to make sure they know the consequences of the anti-social use of fireworks."

The safety campaign will also target the black market in fireworks, with a new liaison group to improve co-ordination of intelligence between Customs and Excise, the Health and Safety Executive and trading standards departments.