FIREWORK shows are set to become even safer after the full-scale adoption of a new pioneering initiative by a leading pyrotechnics display company the South.

Pains Fireworks of Whiteparish, the oldest and largest fireworks display business in the UK, is about to claim a number of cutting-edge firsts.

It is set to become the very first firm of its kind to have almost all its display staff boast nationally recognised qualifications - the credentials will be the first specially customised for the whole of the fireworks industry.

Over the next few months, the majority of Pains' 130-plus operators will go through the new BTEC accreditation.

Pains managing director Bill Deeker has consistently called for internal industry measures to make firework displays as safe as possible and one way he sees this can be achieved is by wholesale cross-industry training.

"There has been a fireworks revolution in recent years and we have come a long way from the bad old days when hundreds of people were hurt in firework accidents each year.

"Much of the improvement in the accident statistics has come through the loss of appeal of shop- bought fireworks and the rise of new, improved large organised displays. There is still, however, some room for improvement in the display industry and we believe that training display operators to a higher standard will help get rid of the odd unfortunate incident that still happens.

"If the industry embraces this move the mavericks will be left out in the cold."

He added: "This initiative is investing in people - the people who put on the displays and the people who come to enjoy the spectacle safely.''

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