A BROMSGROVE resident is calling on the district council to implement restrictions on fireworks in the town.

Sam Ammar, Bromsgrove Labour sectary and communications officer has created a petition to Bromsgrove District Council urging councillors to limit fireworks to organised licensed events.

Current laws state that fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am except for Bonfire night when the cut off is midnight and New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.

Nearly 300 people have already signed the petition and Ms Ammar’s target is 1.000 signatures.

She said: “This petition is going to take a while to build up but I’m taking this seriously and want to take it to the councillors.

“When you find out how fireworks affect pets, its heart-breaking.

“I have spoken to around 200 dog owners and bar eight, have all said the horrible effects fireworks have on their pets.

“Other groups that suffer from the random nature of fireworks include children with autism or learning difficulties.

“A mother has told me, it’s one thing preparing a child for an organised firework display, they know what’s going on and have their earmuffs on, it’s quite another to be subjected to sudden thumps of noise while sitting at home.

“The child can get very upset by the random nature of the noise.”

Sam said fireworks can also cause severe distress to veterans managing post traumatic stress.

Sam added: "It is horrifying to think that after all the bombing they were subjected to, they must now relive the noise and feel the experience in their own home.

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“I am hoping Bromsgrove will lead the way. It is good community and there are lots of dog owners in the town. This is our chance to show that we can move forward and evolve regulations."