TWO men have been sent to prison for 16 weeks each for breaking into a shipping container holding fireworks.

Michael Bush, of Pennycroft Road in Bristol, and Sean Quinn, of Ilmister Avenue in Bristol, were charged with burglary after breaking into storage units at Middle Lane Farm in Kingston Seymour.

The containers belong to fireworks company Firemagic UK.

They were also charged with causing criminal damage to the security cameras, locks and fireworks in the containers.

Bush, aged 27, and Quinn, aged 37, denied breaking into the buildings, but were found guilty after a trial.

At a hearing at North Somerset Courthouse on Monday, the magistrates were told how Bush and Quinn visited the farm at about 1pm on April 19.

Laura Opie, prosecuting, told the court one CCTV camera had been bent round and three others damaged, the locks on the containers were broken and the fireworks inside were crushed.

The court was told both men have previous convictions for similar offences.

The duo spoke only briefly to say they regretted what they had done.

Bush and Quinn were sentenced to 16 weeks in prison apiece, but could be released after eight for good behaviour.

Once they are released from prison they will be subject to 12 months of community supervision.

They were also both ordered to pay £1,080 in court costs and compensation.