A POSTER designed by a Dumbarton schoolboy will form the centrepiece of this year’s fireworks safety awareness campaign.

Knoxland Primary pupil Kerr Gray’s important message will be displayed across West Dunbartonshire to raise awareness this Guy Fawkes night.

Kerr, 10, who is in P6, wins £200 for his school and will see his poster head up this year’s campaign.

Kerr’s slogan “Don’t sell fireworks to anyone under 18 years of age” reaffirms the message of the fireworks safety awareness campaign, which reminds retailers and the public of the legal age limit to buy fireworks.

Kerr said: “I love bonfire night and I was really pleased my drawing was chosen as the winner.

“I wanted to make sure everyone knows they can’t buy fireworks if they’re under 18.

“I am really happy to win the competition and I look forward to seeing my poster being displayed across the area.”

Kerr’s design will be displayed on the electronic screens in Clyde Shopping Centre and will feature on hundreds of posters and leaflets distributed across West Dunbartonshire in schools, council offices, libraries and shops.

Kerr’s fellow Knoxland Primary pupil Gwen Williams was runner up in the contest.

The community is also reminded to avoid “DIY” fireworks events, and attend official displays organised by the West Dunbartonshire Council in Dumbarton and Clydebank.

The authority is hosting the ever-popular displays on Saturday, November 4, at Levengrove Park, in Dumbarton, and on Sunday, November 5 at Clydebank’s Dalmuir Park.

Both events starting at 7pm.

Council leader Jonathan McColl, chairman of community planning, told the Reporter: “Kerr’s poster delivers the important message of the age restrictions on buying fireworks that we all should be reminded of at this time of year.

“The restriction is set to protect us all and I would ask the public not to buy fireworks for anyone under 18 years of age when they go on sale on Sunday.”

The council has also reminded the public and shopkeepers that any shops which sell fireworks must be licensed to do so and anyone selling to persons under 18 may be committing a criminal offence.

The message has been backed by local fire chiefs. who have urged everyone to have fun in safety this bonfire night.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Station Commander, David McCaughey, said: “This is always a very busy time of year for our operational crews throughout West Dunbartonshire. Often many of the calls we receive are in response to deliberate or malicious fires.

“Responding to these incidents places a significant burden on our front line staff and also means that crews from neighbouring stations need to be called in to provide continuing cover to respond to incidents where people’s lives may be at risk.”