Bonfire Night must not be used as a way to get rid of rubbish, insists the Environment Agency, which says setting light to the wrong materials is illegal and can carry a fine of up to £50,000.

Anyone considering having their own bonfire as part of Guy Fawkes' night events is being warned to be clear on the rules relating to what you can and can't burn, which alongside considerable safety risks, can harm the environment.

With many families likely to be be looking forward to a weekend of fireworks - officials are urging people to go along to organised displays where available, while encouraging anyone who is running their own bonfire, regardless of its size, to be aware that burning the wrong items can harm wildlife, the environment and affect people's health alongside being against the law.

Kevin Baker of the Environment Agency explained: "We want people to have fun on Bonfire Night, but to do so safely and in a way that won’t create a risk to the environment, wildlife and to you and your neighbours.

"The best way of doing that, is to stop burning waste altogether and go to a properly organised community event, where organisers, hopefully, should have followed our guidelines and won’t be causing a hazard."

What should go on a bonfire?

The only materials that should be used in bonfires are dry, untreated and unpainted wood, says the Environment Agency, along with very small amounts of paper or cardboard.

Using anything that is wet will create excessive smoke, which risks spreading and causing a nuisance and so anything placed on the fire, particularly wood, must be thoroughly dry.

Bonfires at home should not be used to get rid of household waste - and people should avoid turning to the contents of their bins in search of more material, say officials.

All plastics, rubber, glass, oils and metal can cause a pollution risk and so should be kept away from fires and any material containing them should never be placed among the flames.

But it is not just households that may use bonfire night as a way to rid their home or garden of rubbish, fears the Environment Agency.

There are concerns businesses may also use it an option to burn unwanted waste while criminals working in illegal waste operations may use the celebrations to try and dispose of hazardous or inappropriate rubbish without being detected. Therefore anyone who is paying someone to take waste away over the next few days is being reminded to check they are a licensed waste carrier who will dispose of the rubbish correctly, while anyone who sees a bonfire being built that they think might contain hazardous materials should contact the Environment Agency's 24-hour helpline on 0800 807060.