Powerful fireworks exploding near homes have prompted distressed neighbours to call for stricter rules on private displays.

Endless booms and bangs over the past month have been compared to living in the Blitz, leading plagued families to turn to councillors and the police.

A greenhouse behind a home in Erleigh Court Drive in Earley was smashed after a display grade rocket fell through its roof earlier this month.

Angry neighbours alerted Councillor Lesley Hayward to the incident, who has warned someone could be seriously hurt if nothing is done.

Mum with 24 pets calls for tougher firework laws after near miss

The Bulmershe and Whitegates ward member questioned what restrictions were on the sale and use of display fireworks at Wokingham Borough Council’s full council meeting last Thursday.

Cllr Hayward added: “I’m happy for household fireworks to be let off but when it comes to these display fireworks and kids can get hold of them – something is not right.

“It causes a lot of people distress and they have to just put up with it. They say the noise is like being in the Blitz.

“Once we are clear what the legislation allows the council to do, I want action taken to enforce the control of sales of these powerful fireworks. If the council doesn’t act someone may be seriously hurt.”

A ban on private fireworks parties could be the only possible solution according to Sue Lawrence.

Ms Lawrence, of Sidmouth Grange Close, Earley, said her neighbour was ‘beside herself’ after the rocket damaged the newly replaced glass of her greenhouse.

“If people can’t be sensible there must be enforcement of some rules,” she said.

“I can understand people want the right to enjoy these things but not at the expense of everyone else.

“It would be sad if it came to what they do in Australia [bans on private fireworks] but unless people can regulate themselves and express some common sense I can see that as the only answer.”

Ms Lawrence added: “I don’t want to be a killjoy but we are getting fireworks going off from mid-October to mid-January.

“It would be okay they happened in one go and stopped, but you get 10 minute bursts going on for the whole evening.

“There was a Friday about three weeks ago when these display grade fireworks were being let off for two or three hours.

“The explosions were just ridiculous – the house was shaking. It was like someone was bombing Reading.

“It went on so late I called the police and they said they’d received other complaints.”

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