poppers illegal.

And they have told shopkeepers to clear their shelves of the offending items or prepare for prosecution.

Thousands of the party fire crackers on sale in Hamilton shops will have to be handed into Police because of their fears that injury could result from people tampering with them.

And some store officials are angry at the move after claiming that their stock has actually been deemed as safe by Police officers.

A Police spokesperson told The Royal Gazette yesterday that Police officers were "just being extra cautious'' with the move.

"This is the time of year, and with it being the end of the Millennium, when a lot of poppers are popped,'' she said, "we are just taking the precaution of reminding retailers of the law.

"It is in the interest of the safety of the public.'' Although the fun noisemakers carry warnings, and are widely available elsewhere, Police said they contravened sections of the Explosive Substance Act 1974.

"While not intending to be party poopers, these party poppers should not be sold and we are requesting that local merchants remove such items off their shelves, immediately,'' a Police spokesperson said.

The Royal Gazette understands that the law in question strictly regulates the use of pyrotechnic items and demands the user to hold a licence.

And the poppers have a warning written on them which states the items are for pyrotechnic effect.

The devices, sometimes known as Champagne Party Poppers and Pop Pop Snappers, are either set off by pulling a string which emits a bang and streamers or by dropping them on the ground to go bang.

Shopkeepers, and anyone who has bought the items, have been ordered to hand the poppers in at the nearest Police station.

But some merchants said they were unaware the devices were illegal and were even told by Police that they were safe to sell.

Phoenix Stores, Toys `N' Stuff and other shops are still carrying Pop Pop Snappers, Champagne Party Poppers and other fire crackers.

Toys `N' Stuff manager Carol Bromby said: "When I brought them in, Customs said they were illegal. But the Police went down there (Hamilton Docks) and said they were okay.'' Ms Bromby was upset that duty had been paid on the poppers and now they may be taken off the shelf.

Phoenix Stores are carrying similar items, but a spokesman was unclear whether or not they were illegal.

"I'm not sure they're the same thing,'' said Phoenix Store manager Dale Neer.

Mr. Neer discovered the poppers were questionable only when approached by The Royal Gazette .

Although Toys `N' Stuff had a problem clearing the items through Customs, Phoenix did not.

"I would have thought they (the Police) would have come to us first before the media,'' Ms Bromby said.

"If I had known they were illegal, I wouldn't have put them on the shelf.'' Party poppers go with a whimper: The party poppers and snappers which Police say are illegal and should not be sold.