A CASH and carry has paid the price for selling fireworks at the 'wrong time'.

Arshad Mahmood pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates' Court to selling fireworks outside the prescribed time without a licence.

Trading standards officers made a test purchase at his business, Datta Cash and Carry, in May after a complaint made by the fire service.

Mahmood was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £500 to the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority.

It is illegal to sell fireworks outside of specific dates around festivals.

To sell them all year round, stores must have a special £500 licence issued by trading standards - only 14 licences have been issued in Greater Manchester.