Middlesbrough's Carlo Nash is backing the campaign

Middlesbrough's Carlo Nash, Jim Provett of Hartlepool and Sam Russell of Darlington, joined children and emergency services chiefs on Monday.

The campaign is spearheaded by the region's Crime and Disorder Partnerships along with Fire Service, Police, councils and NHS authorities.

It comes on the day a night time ban on fireworks comes into force.

Fine or jail

The launch of the region-wide campaign took place at Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside Stadium ground.

The campaign features a hard-hitting message that people can be killed, seriously injured and disfigured by fooling with fireworks and by building their own bonfires.

Carlo Nash said: "Fireworks can be great fun in the right hands, but if you fool around with them you could end up getting seriously hurt - or worse. I want young people to enjoy themselves on Bonfire night and to act responsibly."

Those breaking the new law could receive a fine of up to �5,000 or six months imprisonment.