A trader has admitted storing 73kg of explosives without a licence - after the tip of a woman's finger was blown off at a War and Peace show.

Paul Heddell, trading as PDH Enterprises, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court accused of storing the explosives without the appropriate licence, and failing to protect others from harm.

It comes after Sarah Bluck, then 48, of Sheerness, was injured when she bought what she thought was a decommissioned pyrotechnic flash from Heddell.

It removed the tip of her finger and caused burns to her body when it exploded between July 18, 2013 and July 20 at the show at Folkestone Racecourse.

It was the first time the show was held in Folkestone, after it moved from the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood, where it had been held for 30 years.

Speaking about the incident at the time, Ms Bluck said she had visited the show to exhibit her Russian motorcycle.

She bought four thunderflashes, which are used in battle re-enactments, and began to dismantle one to see the inner workings.

When it exploded in her hand, she threw it to a space in the corner of the tent she was in, where it exploded again.

She said: "I thought it was inert and it should have been free from explosives. They are meant to be completely safe – and the other three I had there were.

"This could have happened to anybody. This was on a shelf that was three foot something above the ground.

"A 10-year-old could have picked it up. It's just nuts, really.

"I had a chat to the organisers. They were apologetic. It's not their fault. Stall holders are meant to keep explosives locked away. They should be more responsible."

Heddell, 52, of Bradcar Road, Attleborough, Norfolk will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on August 25, after the case was brought by KCC's trading standards department.

Trading standards manager Mark Rolfe said: “We hope that this conviction serves as a timely reminder explosives and pyrotechnic devices are extremely dangerous and should not be freely available to the public but only handled by those who have the necessary knowledge and experience.”

Stories you might have missed

Two seriously hurt after 'falling from lorry' on M20

Man stabs himself in front of police officers

Speed limit lowered on crossing

Soldiers in court over nightclub assault claims