IF you're currently under siege each evening from what sounds like mortar manoeuvres by the Bolton Liberation Front, you might pefer the sound of a move by Manchester City Council.

There, parents of children who use fireworks dangerously could now be taken to court if they don't curb their offspring's nocturnal activities.

It applies only to council tenants at present, but Manchester Council is encouraging housing associations and private landlords to follow suit.

It is a fairly safe bet that, in most parts of Bolton, darkness falling signals the start of an unwelcome nightly barrage. This year, it seems to have started earlier and is more intense.

While many of us may simply feel that the sudden whizzes, bangs and loud explosions are no more than irritating, there is a significant percentage of the population who are actively frightened by such noises.

For many elderly local residents, it is all too reminiscent of terrifying wartime experiences.

For pets, it is a reason to cower in fear.

Fireworks are not unwelcome or frightening in themselves. Supervised displays -- whether large and impressive or small and enjoyable -- are an integral part of winter and give pleasure. But the reality is a terrible fracas of noises and flashes, sometimes right outside our back doors.

Many elderly people despair over the actions of these selfish individuals who rate their own "fun" over everyone else's quality of life.

I sincerely hope that Bolton Council takes note of its neighbours' actions, and looks at copying their example.

Parents who fail to stop their children upsetting and damaging community life deserve some sort of punishment. And if they don't care, then it is up to officialdom to make them.

PS. If they don't give them the (large amounts of) money to buy them, that might also help.