Call to ban shops' firework sales

Jess Southerton said fireworks often scare young children

A woman has handed a petition to the government calling for a ban on the sale of over-the-counter fireworks.

Jess Southerton, from Hartley, near Gravesend, Kent, said the noise of fireworks going off is blighting the lives of residents.

She has compiled the 750-signature petition to try to get a total ban.

She has already gained support from the MP for Dartford, Dr Howard Stoate, who has raised the issue in the House of Commons.

Mrs Southerton said: "The old people, they are frightened - they think it is the war coming back.

"They do not need to go through this, they have had enough with the war and obviously it brings back bad memories for them."

Mrs Southerton also said there were young children who lived in the area who were frightened by fireworks.