The fire service, police, trading standards and shopkeepers have teamed up for the scheme called Good Guys.

The aim is to enforce restrictions to the sale of fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.

Retailers have pledged to support the scheme which bans them from selling fireworks until three weeks before Guy Fawkes Night.

Very often these matters do end up in court and people get fined Caroline Ryan, Trading Standards

The move is in line with recent changes in law that have now made it illegal to set off fireworks after 2300 BST at night.

The exceptions are Bonfire Night, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

They can also only be purchased by people who are aged over 18 and it is illegal for anyone under that age to be in possession of them.

Caroline Ryan from Trading Standards: "If they (shopkeepers) have sold them to under-18s they're liable to prosecution and could be fined up to �5,000.

"Sometimes people get a warning but this is such a serious safety issue and such a problem for the public that very often these matters do end up in court and people get fined.

"You shouldn't be able to buy them from anywhere but registered premises .

"We're encouraging people to let Crimestoppers know if they become aware of any illegal sources of fireworks."

It is hoped the new regulations will also give police extra powers to crackdown on people who use fireworks to cause damage, nuisance or injury.

Police can issue fixed penalty notices both for breaches of the curfew and for under-18s possessing fireworks.