Police in Germany have discovered 40,000 kilos of illegal fireworks hidden in bunkers close to the border with Nijmegen, which they think were destined for the Dutch market.

Raids by Dutch police in Nieuwegein, Vianen, Arcen and Well at the same time also turned up 2,500 kilos of fireworks, thought to come from the same batch.

Three people were arrested in the Netherlands, all thought to be firework traders and have an ‘important role’ in the Dutch illegal firework trade, the public prosecution department said.

The sale of fireworks in the Netherlands is tightly controlled by law and people caught trading illegal fireworks can face up to six years in jail.