A Barking and Dagenham business faces prosecution from the Trading Standards service after it sold fireworks to a 14-year-old.

In the lead up to Bonfire Night, proactive officers from the council’s Trading Standards team carried out test purchasing operations across a number of businesses.

Of the 10 visits conducted, only one business failed – where a young person aged 14 was able to purchase fireworks without being challenged to provide suitable age verification.

The law states anyone buying fireworks must be over 18.

Businesses can only sell fireworks, including sparklers, to private users on these dates:

• 15 October to 10 November
• 26 to 31 December
• Three days prior to Diwali and the Chinese New Year

If you are aware of any businesses selling fireworks illegally, please use our reporting line here.