Retailers are being forced to demand ID from customers wanting to buy Christmas crackers due to new EU legislation adapted in summer.
Under the new regulations of August 2010, crackers have been specifically named as a category 1 firework, meaning they now have an age restriction of 16. Trading standards officers will be monitoring how retailers enforce the law, with stores facing financial penalties.

Individual cashiers could also see fines of up to £5,000 and six months in prison for selling crackers to underage customers.

The British Retail Consortium's director of public affairs Jane Bevis said: "The Government has promised to ease up on regulations on businesses but this one seems to have slipped though the net... It's vital there is a sensible attitude to enforcement until the Government can reverse this ludicrous restriction."

She added: "Busy shoppers with a lot on their minds will be understandably frustrated if they are asked to provide ID to buy a box of Christmas crackers. It's the health and safety rules which have gone crackers and not retailers themselves."