The Spireites are backing a campaign by firefighters and police officers urging young people in North Derbyshire to stay safe this Bonfire Night.

The Club has teamed up with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and Derbyshire Constabulary in support of their message encouraging youngsters to leave fireworks alone to avoid injury and stop firework-related anti-social behaviour.

Footballers Kevin Gray and Alan O'Hare (pictured below) helped launch the campaign with fire safety officer Vicky Sparkes and Insp Ian Palfreman.

Young males between the ages of 5 to 17 years old are the group most likely to suffer injuries from fireworks and many more firework injuries are caused at private parties than at organised public displays.

David Hutchinson, group manager at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Fireworks cause thousands of injuries every year and almost half of injuries occur at family or private parties."

"When you consider that sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees Celsius - 20 times hotter than boiling water - and rockets travel at around 150 miles per hour, you can understand why most firework injuries derive from rockets, airbombs and sparklers."

"Fire works are quite simply explosives and as such we should treat them with care and respect."

Police are also reminding people that it is illegal to use fireworks anywhere other than in their back gardens and for retailers to sell fireworks bangers, air bombs, or any fireworks to anyone under 18 years old.

Insp Ian Palfreman, community safety officer at Chesterfield police said: "In addition to staying safe from injury, we want the Bonfire Night season to be enjoyable for everyone."

"Every year the Derbyshire Constabulary receive hundreds of complaints about the anti-social use of fireworks - we want people to enjoy them but not to cause annoyance to others."

"We will take positive action against anyone found breaking the law."

Residents are being encouraged to attend organised firework displays rather than hold their own but should follow the firework safety code if they must use them themselves.

THE FIREWORK CODE

Only buy fireworks marked BS7114.
Store fireworks in a closed box or tin.
Follow the instructions on each firework.
Light fireworks at arm's length using a taper or fireworks lighter.
Stand well back.
Never put fireworks in your pocket.
Never throw fireworks.
Always ensure that children with fireworks are supervised.
Only light sparklers one at a time and hold them away from the body and other people.
Immediately dispose of used sparklers in a bucket of cold water.
Never give any fireworks or sparklers to children under five.
Secure all animals and keep pets indoors.
It is illegal to buy fireworks if you are under 18.

WHAT IS BONFIRE NIGHT?

Since 1606, on November 5 people in Britain have been lighting bonfires and fireworks in celebration of the failed attempt to kill the King and blow up the Houses of Parliament.