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An eight-year-old boy was nearly blinded after a firework exploded near him and his friend in Hengoed, his father has said.

Rhydian Guzvic’s son, Bradley, was walking with his nine-year-old friend on Hengoed Road on Sunday October 1 when the firework was allegedly thrown at the pair.

Speaking to BBC Wales, Mr Guzvic said: “One of the neighbours looked over the fence and saw Bradley trying to wake up his friend because they both got knocked unconscious.

“They picked them up, brought them back to Bradley’s mother’s house and that’s when they realised the extent of what had gone on.

“He’s had CT scans, they’ve found shrapnel in his wounds across his head and some close to his eye.

“It was quite scary for everybody involved.”

Following the incident, a family member, posting on Facebook, revealed that one of the boys was waiting for an operation on his hand.

Superintendent Mike Richards, of Gwent Police, said: “We received a report of a medical emergency in Hengoed Road, Hengoed, at around 2.15pm on Sunday October 1.

“Two boys, aged eight and nine, remain in hospital receiving treatment for injuries believed to be linked to an explosion of a firework.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or send us a direct message on social media, quoting log reference 2300332856.”

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We conveyed one patient by road to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and one patient by air to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for further treatment.”

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Delyth Jewell, who represents South Wales East, referred to the incident in the Senedd on October 3 and called for a ban on the public sale of fireworks.

She said: “Bonfire night is still a month away and, every year, we seem to hear horrible stories about life-changing injuries that are suffered because of fireworks.

“Surely, isn’t it time that the sale of fireworks should be banned except for professional displays?”

Responding on behalf of the Welsh Government, Lesley Griffiths MS said responsibility for such a ban is with the UK Government and that discussions had taken place.

She said: “I’m very sorry to hear of the incident and, as you say, unfortunately, most years we do hear of very similar events. I will certainly ask the minister for climate change [Julie James MS] if she’s had any further discussions with the UK Government.”

Caerphilly MP Wayne David said he was “extremely concerned about the incident and can only begin to understand how the families must feel”.

Mr David added: “I have received reports from the police and I have spoken with the police officer leading the enquiry into the incident. I understand that progress is being made regarding those enquiries”.