PEOPLE in East Lancashire planning to enjoy a bonfire this Guy Fawkes Night have been urged to look after their eyes.

Opticians said about 300 people a year suffer eye injuries due to carelessness with fireworks with 81 per cent of those injuries happening on Bonfire Night.

In a pledge to reduce the number of accidents this November, independent opticians in the North West have urged people to be extra careful and to protect their eyes from fireworks and bonfire flames with a set of safety tips.

Advice includes buying fireworks that meet British Standards and buy them from a reputable retailer, follow instructions and light themat arm’s length, stand well back once lit and never go back to a lit firework and never put fireworks in your pocket and never throw them.