The RSPCA is attempting to use a private member's bill, sponsored by Labour MP Bill Tynan, to ban any firework louder than 95 decibels - similar to the sound of a book landing on a table from a height of one metre.

Forum Response: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Robin Hutchinson, head of communications at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, told ePolitix.com: "Whatever the success, or otherwise, of the RSPCA's quiet fireworks display, there is no doubt that curbs on the incredibly high noise levels, and year round availability, of fireworks are desperately needed.

"The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has to prematurely retire a number of dogs each year because the trauma caused by fireworks has made them unable to work. Many others have to be retrained and still others sedated. The cost to these highly trained animals and to the Association is huge. Worse, for their owners it can mean the difference between getting to work or not, having a social life or none.

"Bill Tynan's Fireworks Bill will enable the government to regulate the importation, sale and use of fireworks - powers that do not currently exist. The Bill does not identify any specific noise limits and, at this stage, whether a limit should be set at 95Db or 120Db is academic - the Bill needs to succeed first.

"Hundreds of thousands of people up and down the UK - including guide dog owners, pet owners, older people, parents of small children and others from all walks of life - have signed petitions calling for curbs on fireworks use. Politicians' mail bags have been bursting with letters on the same subject. It is clear that public concern is enormous and if the Fireworks Bill, with its opportunities for compromise, is not allowed to succeed, subsequent calls are likely to be for a total ban.

"It is vital that the Fireworks Bill gets the widest possible support and is passed into law at the earliest possible opportunity."