THIS time of year is the most frightening of the year for many older people and for pets.

Fireworks seem to be sold earlier and earlier and used now as staple for family celebrations.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the spectacle of fireworks as much as the next person. The splendour of lighting up the sky is lovely – I just hate all the loud bangs that accompany them.

I still believe that private sale of fireworks should be banned and only organised displays allowed, not because I’m a miserable killjoy but because they get into the hands of idiots who enjoy mayhem.

There are also terrible injuries annually caused by fireworks - 10 people in the UK lose their sight each year from a firework injury and around 300 suffer serious eye injuries. Add to that all the upset and you do wonder whether fireworks are really worth it.