The owner of a fireworks company has appeared in court in Bath charged with a string of health and safety and fraud offences after one of his employees was seriously injured.

Jason Edgecombe, 28, of Northcote Road, Mangotsfield, Bristol, allegedly failed to provide his staff at JWP Fireworks with the proper health and safety training resulting in an incident where a member of staff was hurt during a display in Keynsham.

That accident prompted Bath and North East Somerset Council's health and safety team to investigate the company and subsequently inform trading standards about further concerns.

Edgecombe appeared before Bath magistrates today charged with 17 offences, including failing to identify the hazards involved with setting up and firing mines, shells and mortar tubes, failing to provide suitable personal protective equipment for employees and failing to inform the authorities after an employee suffered a major injury at work.

He is also charged with engaging in unfair commercial practice by falsely claiming that his company was a member of the Guild of Professional Wedding Services .

In addition, he is accused by prosecutors from B&NES of fraud by falsely claiming the company had public liability insurance and possessing fake insurance documents.

The offences are alleged to have taken place across the country, including Keynsham, Wick and Nottingham, between October 2007 and November 2008.

JWP Fireworks is described on its website as the city's "premier pyrotechnics display company" which employs technicians who have worked on the BBC Proms in the Park and Aston Court Festival.

Edgecombe has not yet entered a plea to the allegations.

Magistrates today committed his case to Bristol Crown Court, where he will appear before a judge in October.