A FRUITLESS search for fireworks in a Malvern store left a 26-year-old man in court.

Droitwich magistrates were told that Timothy Margerrison and two friends broke into Link Top News with the intention of stealing the explosives.

But the trio left empty handed.

"It's quite simple, really," said Peter Parson, prosecuting.

"He went to a shop and the business was broken into through a wooden double door. Various cabinets were broken into, but nothing was taken.

"There were a lot of fireworks in there at the time and it was thought that the defendant was trying to get to these."

At 1.50am on Thursday, October 18, police stopped Margerrison's Ford Sierra.

"He said he was trying to find his way back to Cheltenham," Mr Parson added.

"But he was then seen later on, after the burglary had been committed, and arrested. In interview, he said he and two others had forced open a stock room door to try and get some fireworks."

Andrew Childs, defending Margerrison, of Canterbury Leys, Newtown, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, asked for an adjournment so pre-sentence reports could be prepared.

The 26-year-old, who admitted entering Link Top News as a trespasser and attempting to steal, will appear before the court again on Friday, January 18.