Fireworks stored near a gas fire have been seized by cops and council officers over Bonfire Night weekend. 

North Lanarkshire Council Trading Standards Officers received a tip-off about a local store in Wishaw advertising the sale of fireworks and went with police officers to investigate the tip. 

In a raid on Friday, November 4, they discovered not only that the store was holding fireworks without a licence, but storing them dangerously. 

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Worth between £6,000 and £10,000, the fireworks were left beside a gas fire and canister, flammable materials and liquids, and were in the same unit as a running car engine.

Councillor Helen Loughran, the convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: “Following a complaint from the public about fireworks being advertised for sale, officers visited the unlicensed premises in Wishaw and found a large quantity of fireworks stored unsafely.

“The licensing system is in place to ensure fireworks are stored correctly and that only adults can buy them.

"So it is important that unlicensed traders who do not comply with the safety restrictions are identified and stopped from selling fireworks in our communities.”

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A man who was at the store when officers entered was arrested on another matter, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Trading Standards also used underage test purchasers at various retailers over Bonfire Night weekend.

Cllr Loughran added: "None of the premises sold to the underage volunteer.

“Our test purchase exercise showed that responsible retailers are following the rules around selling fireworks and verifying the age of anyone who attempts to buy them, which is good news for the public."