I've just double-checked my kitchen calendar and it says (at the time of writing) we are coming to the end of September.

Try telling that to my pet labrador who is trying to squeeze his sizable frame between the chair and living room wall; or my cat who is scratching at a wardrobe door. Why? Because another huge whizz-bang firework has just exploded over the house.

I don't know what other areas of Leigh are like in comparison but the part I live in has been like the Somme for a couple of weeks now. As soon as the daylight goes, out comes the artillery. And artillery isn't an exaggeration. When one of these fireworks explodes it makes the house shake. These aren't little bangers like we used to buy as kids for a couple of pennies, these are serious stuff.

I was under the impression that it was now an offence to discharge fireworks - unless at an organised display - before November 5. I know the police are hard-pressed as it is trying to keep law and order without wasting their time tracking down young, and they generally are, hooligans who clearly have nothing better to do with their time or their money.

I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel this way. The majority of people I talk to are as sick and fed up as I am.

To me the solution is quite simple. These fireworks can be removed from the street at a stroke if they were removed from shops and only sold for organised displays. Take temptation away and the temptation's gone.

I have absolutely no problem with organised bonfire and fireworks displays. I used to take my kids to them when they were little and they loved them. Far better value for money that £20 or £30 on a box to set off in the back garden. Like most things there is a time and place. Now is not the time and over my house isn't the place.

I hope those responsible for such legislation were here now...they could help wrestle the dog out of its hiding place and coax the cat out of the wardrobe.

Fed up,

Leigh.