The fireworks ban was lifted in Northern Ireland in 1996

The Royal Victoria Hospital has appealed for people to stay away from fireworks over the Halloween period.

Researchers at the Belfast hospital said results of a 12-year study reinforced the need for strict legislation.

The research was carried out by the hospital's eye department and particularly looked at injuries among people aged under 20.

The study period covered the six years before and after the lifting of the firework ban in Northern Ireland in 1996.

The majority of injuries from fireworks occur when they are mishandled, explode prematurely or are used as missiles Dr Angela Knox RVH

Dr Angela Knox, specialist registrar in ophthalmology at the RVH, said there was almost a three-fold increase in serious eye injuries treated at the hospital after the lifting of the ban.

The RVH said it was unlicensed fireworks which continued to cause injury as they were likely to be more dangerous than legal fireworks.

"Fireworks obtained without a licence are unlikely to have passed strict safety standards and may contain little or no instructions for use and are more likely to misfire," said Dr Knox, who was one of the research team.

"The majority of injuries from fireworks occur when they are mishandled, explode prematurely or are used as missiles."

The fireworks ban was lifted in Northern Ireland in 1996 following the paramilitary ceasefires.

However, in 2002 new regulations meant people had to apply for a licence and pay to hold even the smallest fireworks display.

The RVH researchers are carrying out a study to compare whether the tougher rules in Northern Ireland can reduce the number of firework-related eye injuries.