SIR - It is my understanding (although on the evidence of the other weekend I doubt it) that legislation has been introduced recently to restrict the sale of fireworks and curb their use to certain times and events.

As we sat there on Saturday evening (and Friday and Sunday) deafened by fireworks, I - like many others I have spoken to recently - wondered where and how any restrictions whatsoever were in place to make fireworks a seasonal, occasional nuisance rather than an excuse for certain elements of society to inflict their anti-social tendencies on all and sundry?

Can I suggest the police and local authority appear unable or unwilling to prevent this time of year being an annual excuse for excess and for our city to resemble a "war zone" in which safety and common sense are absent.

This is without including the distress it causes to young children and family pets among others, never mind the cost to the fire service and other agencies who have the unenviable job of picking up the pieces.

On reading the T&A (November 6) can I offer my thanks to the fire service for their expertise, professionalism and public service.

Councillor Rupert Oliver (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend), Lister Avenue, West Bowling