A CLEAN-UP operation has been launched after a Star reader highlighted the number of discarded sparklers still left following last Bonfire Night’s spectacular firework display.

Star reader Rosalie Sephton said she was still finding the sparklers in Sherdley Park nearly four months on as she walked her dogs.

She said: “We have found hundreds of these wires to date and disposed of them safely.

Some are loose on the grass but others are embedded in the soil. At this time of year they can look like twigs.

"All of them are sharp and rusty. If there is a fall of snow children are going to be sliding down the grass on sledges and I believe it’s only a matter of time before someone is impaled on one.

"I would urge anyone walking around the park to pick up and dispose of any they might find.

“I think the council should be made aware of the problem and maybe provide containers at the event.

“I have spoken to other dog walkers and we agreed that we’d be willing to volunteer to collect the wires at any future firework event if council employees are unavailable.”

A St Helens Council spokeswoman confirmed a clean-up operation would be carried out after it was notified about the problem.