FOR most, Bonfire Night is a fantastic night watching fireworks light up the sky with a toffee apple in one hand and a sparkler in the other.

However, there has been a growing movement to see private firework displays banned, with people only allowed to enjoy firework displays and publicly organised events.

So far, more than 160,000 people have signed a petition calling for a ban on fireworks being sold to the public.

The petition adds: "Every year fireworks are set off unnecessarily. Fireworks are a nuisance to the public.

"They scare animals, young children and people with a phobia.

"They injure thousands of people every year.

They cause damage to buildings, vehicles, emergency vehicles etc.

"Lastly kids are STILL being sold them."

The topic has prompted fierce debate on social media, with a lot of people supporting the petition's aims.

Joan Surry, 64, from Thundersley, said: "Fireworks should only be sold under licence for formal organised events, and ban all sales to the general public.

"Not only would this stop them being set off for three weeks before and three weeks after Bonfire Night which affects pets, wildlife, the elderly and sick, to say nothing of war veterans, but would stop idiots setting them off near to animal sanctuaries and enclosures, firing them directly at people (including the police) or directly at properties causing damage and possible fires."

Jess Brewis, from Southend, added: "I have signed this petition. It's better and safer to have public events only, also better for the animals, people with sensory issues, ex-military with post traumatic stress etc."

Other residents have seen first hand the impact fireworks can have on pets.

Christine Boynett, from Westcliff, said: "I signed and the reason being there are people letting them off a week before Bonfire Night round my way and it really frightens my two little dogs.

"One has just been diagnosed with a heart murmur so I've been so worried for him.

"I also object to every night someone letting them of at 1.30am, waking me up and frightening me and my dogs after just settling them.

"My thoughts are have organised events only on the 5th which is enough and ban them in the shops for sale."

Lisa Bowdidge, 49, from Pitsea, added: "Fireworks should be banned from public use and just for display purpose only. The fear in my animals' eyes when these things go off is heart breaking.

"If they were used more sensibly it wouldn't be so bad but as always you get the little idiots that think it's ok to set them of in daylight and then weeks after the event and they are so dangerous with them.

"They so do not respect any other living thing having to put up with the noise of them.

"I hate fireworks and always have. I have a phobia of them but I like to watch from indoors.

"I think having them for displays only will definitely help to solve the problem."

Clifford Leech, 65, of Westcliff, said: "It's ridiculous that effectively explosives are openly being offered for sale over the counter and end up causing misery to not only us but to our local wildlife and pet cats and dogs.

"I heard today that one of my work colleagues suffered serious damage to her eye when a firework lost control and headed straight towards. We don't know yet if she has lost her sight.

"Southend firework displays along our seafront are fine as they are let off a good distance away from anyone.

"The other thing is the we are celebrating what could have been a massive loss of life if Guy Fawkes had been successful if the explosives he stacked up under the parliament building had gone off. It's ludicrous."

However, other people were less supportive of a firework ban, pointing out that Bonfire Night was a tradition and it was only a few people ruining it for the majority.

Jimmy Jarrett, 36, from Leigh, said: "Fireworks night has been going on for years.

"This is not a new thing but all of a sudden everyone is condemning it.

"Yes there are some out of hand kids, but let the police deal with them and let the other people enjoy their fireworks, whatever the occasion. Soon there will be nothing left to enjoy."

Lucy Courtenay, 37, from Southend, added: "If you ban the sale of fireworks then people will just find a way to get them illegally anyway, which could be even more dangerous.

"You can't say people can only have them on the November 5 either, what about other celebrations including Diwali, weddings and New Year's Eve just to name a few?

DJ Mark Tydeman, 33, from Shoebury, said: "We as a country have been celebrating Guy Fawkes night with this tradition for years and years.

"It is part of our history! Let’s keep celebrating it!"

Samantha Smale, 25, from Rochford, said: "Public organised events are usually so expensive for families. I know a local school was charging almost £10 a ticket! I'm a family of three, plus if grandparents/aunties wanted to come along, it would quickly add up to be a very expensive night just to watch some fireworks!

"It's a lot cheaper to buy them ourselves and have our own little display in the back garden!"