An MP has backed demands for a change in firework safety laws in the wake of the explosions that killed two firefighters.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has demanded a public inquiry into the events of December 3, when firefighters Brian Wembridge and Geoff Wicker were killed and 12 other people injured at Shortgate.

Now Lewes MP Norman Baker has said the police investigation into the blasts at Festival Fireworks, near Ringmer, must look at wider issues surrounding firework industry practice. He said: "There are major lessons to be learned.

They may include present legislation and national practice.

"The police inquiry needs to look not simply at what happened on the day but why it happened and if any laws need changing.

"I'm confident the police report will, if they feel it appropriate, recommend changes to the legislation."

FBU regional secretary Jim Parrott has called for the regulatory system to be simplified and for tighter rules on the transportation of fireworks.

Sussex Police, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the blaze.

Festival Fireworks owner Martin Winter courted controversy last week when he referred to the dead firefighters as "idiots" in his first interview with The Argus since the disaster.

The outburst caused anger among the former colleagues of Mr Wembridge and Mr Wicker.

The two long-serving firefighters, each a father of two, were considered heroes by their colleagues and were given ceremonial funerals in their home towns of Crowborough and Heathfield.

They had arrived at the scene, along with police and paramedics, after two small explosions started a fire at the warehouse at Marlie Farm.

They were killed by a third, larger explosion.

Mr Winter is still trading and hopes to rebuild his business at Marlie Farm.

He told The Argus: "I've not stopped running my business.

"We're still trading. I can't just walk away from it."

On December 29 Festival Fireworks and another Winterowned company, Sussex Fireworks and Displays Ltd, were served prohibition notices by the HSE's hazardous installations directorate.

Prohibition notices are imposed when an inspector believes a company's activities pose a serious risk of personal injury to employees.

The activities cannot start again until an HSE inspector is satisfied the risk has passed.

Lewes District Council said Mr Winter would need planning permission to rebuild or trade from Marlie Farm.