A CHILD riding in the back seat of a car narrowly escaped serious injury when a firework was launched at the vehicle.

The silver Citroen Zsara was driving by the Co-op on Newent' s High Street when a group of four youths launched a rocket at the car.

The driver was forced to veer off the road and up the kerb, while sparks from the firework went through an open window and left the child with a small burn spot to the nose.

The incident happened at about 7.45pm on Friday, October 28.

Police are urging the youths involved to come forward.

Crime Reduction Officer Paul Francis said: "Our advice would be for parents to make sure they know where their children are and what they are carrying around with them.

"It is obviously illegal to sell fireworks to children and the inappropriate use of fireworks constitutes anti-social behav-

iour."

Anyone with information about this incident should call Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident 456 of October 28.