Bonfire Night could turn to tragedy for those who do not buy fireworks from established businesses, Wandsworth trading standards officers are warning.

Consumers are being urged to steer clear of potentially unsafe fireworks offered for sale in “unofficial” venues like pub car parks, markets, car boot sales or street corners.

Fireworks from these outlets may be of poor quality and could also be dangerous because they might not have gone through the same safety checks as ones being sold by authorised traders.

Anyone selling fireworks needs to be registered with their local trading standards department.

This is to ensure that the fireworks meet safety standards and are being stored correctly. Trading standards officers can also monitor registered retailers to ensure they are not committing an offence by selling to the under-18s.

Councillor Sarah McDermott, Wandsworth’s consumer protection spokesman, said: “Buying fireworks from unusual sources like the back of a van or a pub car park can be incredibly risky.

"It is these outlets that are most likely to be selling illegally manufactured fireworks. These are the most dangerous types because they won't have undergone proper safety tests and may not have been properly made.

"And it is these kind of unofficial venues that are much more likely to flout the law on under-age sales. It is unlicensed traders that fuel the anti-social behaviour communities experience when fireworks are let off in the streets late at night.

"It is for all these reasons that we are urging people to steer clear of these traders and appealing for information that can help us track them down."

Anyone with information about illegal firework sales in Wandsworth should call the council on 020 8871 7720 or the national Consumer Direct helpline 08454 04 05 06.

• What do you think? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.