YOUNGSTERS under the age of 18 will be breaking the law - if they carry fireworks in a public place, police have warned.

New laws to tackle the antisocial use of fireworks will come into force this year and include a ban on anyone, other than professionals, from possessing the more powerful Category 4 fireworks.

There is also a ban on the use of fireworks between 11pm-7am, although there are exceptions on November 5, Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year's Eve.

Insp Gareth Prosser, of Redditch Police, welcomed the new legislation and said: "We very much hope the new regulations and the powers of enforcement granted to the police will act as a deterrent and reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour and related issues which happen at this time of year."