Firefighters have urged people not to set off fireworks themselves and abuse firefighters ahead of their busiest time of the year.

Shaun Kelly, from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said the Bonfire Night weekend was “significantly” busier for the crew than other times.

“We will have fire appliances all over the Tyne and Wear and they will be going in and out all night long,” he said.

Meanwhile, Steve Helps, chief fire officer of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, urged people not to mistreat firefighters this weekend.

Mr Kelly said the public should go to organized fireworks displays rather than DIY events.

“(Organised) displays will be very safe because they have been risk assessed and the quality of the fireworks will be much better,” he said.

The service often experiences a “huge surge” in calls during Bonfire Night and Diwali celebrations.

Crews were also called to many more intentional fires than usual, he said.

This can range from people trying to light their own bonfires to people stealing wheelie bins and setting their contents on fire.

Ahead of Bonfire Night, Mr Helps appealed to people not to be “one of the minority” to ensure the majority does not ruin Bonfire Night.

Since April there have been seven incidents in which firefighters on his team were attacked with fireworks, rocks and bottles when called in, mostly by young people.

“Nobody goes to work to get attacked,” he said.

“I strongly encourage people to sit down with their children and remind them that their actions have consequences.”