Do not mix alcohol and fireworks is the message from Oxfordshire's firefighters in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

The service has launched a safety campaign, including posters, leaflets and an Internet site - at www.365alive.co.uk - to help celebrations go off as safely as possible.

Community fire safety officer Marcus Reay said: "Accident and emergency departments are full of people who have had a good drink and then thought 'let's set some fireworks off'.

"One moment of carelessness can lead to tragic consequences. For someone who has been badly burned or scarred, their injury will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It can affect the way that even their friends react to them and their working lives.

"Don't mix alcohol with fireworks - it can have lifelong consequences."

Oxford fire risk manager Mike Binghamcorr added: "The majority of the calls we get on Bonfire Night could be avoided."

The RSPCA advises pet owners to keep animals indoors while fireworks are going off.