A GROUP of fed-up Farnworth residents are hoping Bonfire night will go with less of a bang later this year.

More than 80 residents who live in the area surrounding Farnworth town hall were frightened and annoyed by the endless bangs from fireworks in the weeks surrounding November 5 - and again at New Year.

They are now urging Bolton Council to take steps to try to stop the problem.

A retired housewife, who asked not to be named, has been collecting a petition demanding the council take action soon. The document has been presented to local Farnworth councillors by Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon, who is supporting the move.

The resident told the BEN that no one refused to sign the petition and she heard some horror stories on her trips to collect signatures.

One pensioner in her 80s was too frightened to go out and small children were terrified by the fireworks which started being let off at the end of September. "They were shaking the windows they were so loud," said the petitioner.

In another incident, teenagers frightened passers by by throwing around fireworks and one person had their carpet burned after a firework was posted through the letterbox.

"At one time there were fireworks just on Bonfire Night but it has gone absolutely mad now," said the resident.

"This year has has been worse than ever before and, with the Millennium next year, it will be mayhem if something isn't done to curb it."

Ban

The residents are wanting a ban put on the sale of fireworks until two weeks before November 5 and again immediately after the event.

While taking up the residents' concerns, Dr Iddon says a ban would be very difficult to enforce and other groups who want to use fireworks for celebrations would object.

Dr Iddon is pressing for a national ban on larger non-domestic fireworks and louder fireworks except at official displays, and wants Bolton Council to lobby the Government about the issue.

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