BBC Consumer Affairs Correspondent Nicola Carslaw: "An explosive combination"

Consumer Affairs Minister Dr Kim Howells launched the campaign warning: "Fireworks and alcohol are an explosive combination - they just don't mix."

Recent focus-group research suggested that 84% of people who set off their own fireworks had drunk at least two or three units of alcohol by the time of the display.

This is above the drink-drive limit and enough to slow reactions, cause carelessness, and reduce the ability to supervise children properly.

Dr Howells said: "Drinking just a pint of beer, a couple of glasses of wine or a double whisky can all increase your chances of having an accident.

831 people were injured by fireworks last year

"Alcohol can have an impact on the body within minutes - or even quicker if taken on an empty stomach."

Dr Howells said: "It is common sense that when handling fireworks you need to be fully focused on what you are doing.

"We know that one in three domestic accidents are alcohol-related.

"And back gardens - a domestic environment - are where most fireworks injuries occurred last year."

More than 830 people were injured by fireworks in the UK last year, and half of these were children.

The government plans to distribute one million leaflets warning of the dangers of drink at firework parties.

Firework safety campaign kits have been sent to trading standards departments and fire brigades across Britain.

New television adverts will be shown in the run-up to Bonfire Night on 5 November, stressing the campaign's theme.