ANDY Roberts’ letter to the Worcester News calling for people to think of their neighbours before setting off loud fireworks on and around Bonfire Night sparked a lengthy debate among readers.

Mr Roberts had initially planned an online Parliamentary petition calling a limit on the noise of fireworks on sale to the public to 90 decibels. This would not ban fireworks, or the spectacular fireworks used at formal displays, but it would reduce the impact on pets and nervous people in their homes.

He wrote: “This year, on the assumption that Covid-19 might prevent organised displays, it is possible that even more people will be tempted to let off fireworks in their garden.

“So be it, but please spare a thought for others when you decide what to buy.”

On our website, factcheckWR wrote: “Great, but I’d go further and ban all fireworks other than for organised public events.”

The city Saint, JimmyPB and les Rosbifs didn’t agree.

The city Saint wrote: “I agree to lowering the noise but to ban all together is a step too far, where do you stop smoking, driving, sports, etc can all result in A&E visits, how about we just let ppl live”.

JimmyPB went further: “’Ban all fireworks’. Here come the puritans. If it’s not fireworks, then it’s smoking, or it’s drinking alcohol, or it’s eating fast food. Can’t these puritans live by their own standards and leave the rest of us to have a bit of fun.”

Casmal responded: “Fine, as long as you are considerate when you have your ‘bit of fun’, i.e. considerate to neighbours and their pets. That’s all the letter writing is asking.”

Miss-Taken spoke up for pet-lovers: “We are supposedly a nation of animal lovers yet would rather have our ‘fun’ than stop the distress caused to all animals at this time of year. This goes on for weeks.”

On our Facebook page, Sam Furlong wrote: “Perhaps there should be some kind of compromise, maybe stricter controls on noise levels and perhaps restrictions on when they can be used (say a week either side of bonfire night and the period covering Christmas and New Year)?”

Craig Benson agreed: “Have bonfire night and new year where people can let them off . Its all the idiots that let a few off a random times.

“At least if they are expected people can sort there pets out etc.”

Karina Warr wrote: “Fireworks are no problem in the right hands... they have been around for ages ... its the idiots that ruin it for others”

Marion Hackling agreed: “Have fireworks but not noisy ones if u saw my dog it’s crazy.”

Nicki Porter posted: “Fireworks shouldn’t be sold to the general public for a start. Not only are the dangerous in the hands of just anyone but they terrify pets, wildlife, and the elderly and vulnerable.”

But Adam Słoneczny disagreed: “I love fireworks, we have always had them and safety has improved dramatically, there is no need to ban anything.”

And as if to highlight that the point of the letter writer has already been made, Annie Dunbar posted: “There were fireworks being let off near us last night, they were so loud!”