Potentially hazardous pyrotechnics were discovered dumped in Falmouth yesterday evening.

They were abandoned outside the Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team station, with members having to collect them and take them to the Coastguard Operations Centre for safe disposal.

It has prompted a warning from the team, which said: "Please don’t leave time-expired pyrotechnics (TEPs) outside our station. It’s not the place for them.

"They can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Expired pyrotechnics can also be quite unstable and can cause serious burns to both people and pets.

"Every time we respond to an incident, we put ourselves at greater risk of contracting Covid-19, this time included.

"At the moment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, TEPs are currently not being accepted as they normally would at the Coastguard Operations Centres. This situation is being constantly reviewed.

"While this maybe inconvenient, we ask if you could be patient and keep hold of these TEPs in a safe place until restrictions are lifted."

In a picture on the coastguard team's Facebook page, the flares can be seen sitting in the entrance to the coastguard station - directly next to a sign inside the window stating: "It is a criminal offence to leave flares/pyrotechnics at this property."

Anyone doing so risks prosecution, with the government's website stating: "Do not leave flares to be discovered. It’s against the law and dangerous.

"You may be prosecuted if you leave flares outside coastguard, RNLI, police, or fire service premises.

"Flares may be picked up by children who could be seriously injured or killed as a result."

The website also states that while under normal circumstances coastguard operations centres - such as Falmouth's main centre, not the rescue station - may accept flares to be disposed of at their own discretion, the coastguard had no responsibility to do so and it must only be done, by appointment, once all other methods had been exhausted.

It states: "Our facilities are very limited and we can only accept a small number of flares from individuals."

Before contacting the coastguard people should try the place their bought them for a 'take back' scheme, marinas, life raft service stations and the council, as some recycling centres may accept them (check first and never leave in household rubbish).

The website adds: "Do not turn up at HM Coastguard premises without prior agreement. The majority of coastguard locations are not licensed, you will be turned away."