Loud fireworks, particularly when set off at inappropriate times, annoy a great many people and can cause acute distress to some of them. They terrify human beings and animals alike.

So it's not surprising that there was a widespread feeling of relief when Bradford West MP Gerry Sutcliffe steered through new regulations to curb this major source of nuisance. They did not go as far as many people would have liked. They did not, for instance, restrict the use of fireworks entirely to organised displays by experts. But they were a major step forward from the apparent free-for-all which had previously existed.

However, creating legislation is one thing. Making it stick is another. The new rules came into force last month and since then explosive bangs have still been heard in some areas of Bradford. So it is good to learn that the proof of the pudding will be put to the test next month when trading standards teams start work with the police and fire officers to enforce the regulations.

The enforcers have a lot of weapons at their disposal. For instance, possession of fireworks by under-18s in public places is now a criminal offence. The decibel level must be restricted to 120. Fireworks mustn't be let off between 11pm and 7am except on designated nights such as November 5.

If the anti-nuisance team is rigorous in prosecuting when these and other rules are flouted, and if the courts then impose penalties at a level which shows that they mean business, perhaps at last we can start to look forward to a quieter life.