Once again, an innocent animal has had to suffer the consequences of the ever-larger and louder fireworks being sold.

I know the Government plans to ban "aerial bombs" next year but what penalties are going to be given those people who will inevitably ignore the ban?

Several acquaintances have already said it won't be a problem - they will buy them in France.

I am not anti-Bonfire Night but that is just what it should be - Bonfire Night, not Bonfire Fortnight.

The amount of money spent on mere noise is horrendous and I cannot imagine small children enjoy this. Where are the colourful fireworks? In very short supply in garden displays.

Last Tuesday night, I was subjected to two hours of non-stop barrage. I grew up in the Second World War and the noise from the bombs pales into insignificance compared to the bombardment I was subjected to last week. I dread to think how families with babies and animals coped.

Could there not be some compromise? Do the bangers have to be so loud?

Perhaps if the people buying them lived in some of the war-torn places of today they would think twice about purchasing them.

-John Rittman, John1beryl@ntlworld.com