I’ve long been of the opinion that the sale of fireworks to the general public should be stopped in favor of organised displays. Every year it seems two or three neighbours to the rear of my house decide it would be a great idea to use category 3 fireworks which have a safe operting distance of 25m on all sides! ie: a 50m (164ft) That means that, within our tiny back gardens, not only are they in the danger-area, the are putting myself and most of the street within the danger area.

The public at large in this country just do not have the discipline to behave responsibly with what are in effect dangerous pyrotechnic devices. Class 2 fireworks which are designed for moderately sized gardens would be more acceptable and would not put others at risk as much.

But then there’s a new underclass of complete idiots to think about.

These are the type of idiots who walk into California Wines on Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester and touch-off a 200-shot rocket display firework. Luckily the shop owner was able to push the launcher outside the shop but his 15-month old baby had to be taken to hospital to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.