Big bangers and late-night fireworks have been banned in a victory for Brighton and Hove campaigners.

The Fireworks Bill, which yesterday received Royal Assent in the House of Lords, is expected to be welcomed by many although some will say it does not go far enough.

The campaign was led by Ivor Caplin, Hove MP and Defence Minister, who said the Bill would crack down on the irresponsible use of fireworks.

He said: "This is the first time the Government has ever acted on fireworks and the campaign has been successful because of pressure from local communities in Brighton and Hove.

"I enjoy well-organised displays but fireworks are now being let off throughout the year, any time of the night or day and are causing great distress to people and their pets."

The new law makes it an offence to sell fireworks to under-18s, bans the use of fireworks beyond 11pm, and forbids the use of loud bangers to all except licensed and trained firework operators.

Mr Caplin said big annual displays, authorised by local authorities, would not be affected.

He said: "Families will still be able to enjoy traditional boxes of fireworks in back gardens but this will ban the irresponsible use of fireworks that causes so much upset."

Mr Caplin said details of which fireworks specifically would fall under the ban had yet to be ironed out.

Offenders, he said, would be punished by way of fines of "up to four figures" but again those details had still to be finalised.

He said: "This is a sensible approach to the problem and one that will allow people to continue enjoying fireworks but, at the same time, bring improvements.

It will reduce late-night noise, improve the environment and it will reduce the chances of accidents.

"This law means the noise nuisances caused by the random letting-off of fireworks can now be dealt with."