Police have warned firework abuse could end in tragedy - after yobs posted a lit explosive through a letter box.

An investigation is underway after the banger went off at a house in Workington, damaging the letter box and blasting a hole in the door.

The county force pointed out the potential consequences as officers urged the public to help them catch the culprits.

A woman was in the house at Holden Road, Salterbeck, when the firework was placed inside the letter box.

It is the first publicly disclosed firework crime of the autumn, with reports often becoming more frequent in the build-up to Bonfire Night.

In the past police have issued alerts to people not to carry out firework pranks which could prove frightening - or even deadly.

A police spokesman said: “We take any report of fireworks being pushed through letterboxes extremely seriously.

"Such actions have the potential for tragic consequences."

The incident happened at about 10pm on Tuesday.

The force spokesman said: "An unknown person has placed a firework banger inside the letter box, which has gone off causing damage to the door."

Police say they would like to hear from anybody who may have witnessed the incident.

The spokesman added: "We would urge anyone who was in the area at the time, anyone who saw anyone with fireworks or anyone who may have information about the person responsible to call us immediately on 101."