Animal welfare concern sparks council to rethink fireworks venue

David Wilson of the USPCA described the council's decision to hold last weekend's fireworks display so close to the wetland habitat at the rear of the Sixmile Leisure Centre as "very short-sighted and misguided."

"There are swans and ducks nesting there and the last thing they need when they're nesting is the noise of a fireworks display. They (the organisers) should have held the display somewhere else in the town," he said.

One local woman contacted the Times this week to tell how her daughters had been upset by the effect of the fireworks on the birds nesting in the area (see letter on page 10).

"The fireworks were being let off on their nesting/living habitat and all we could hear were the cries of distress from the wildlife that lives there," she said.

"My children are being taught to respect the environment in which they live, so why did they have to witness what should have been an enjoyable event turning into a distressful one?"

A council spokesperson stressed that advice had been sought from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, who said that there was no scientific evidence that the fireworks would disturb the birds on a long-term basis.

However, responding to the criticism of the site used at this year's fair, she added: "The council is aware that the fireworks are close to the wetland area and will be looking at other possible sites for future fireworks displays."

Mr Wilson, who is the USPCA's press officer, welcomed the council's commitment to reconsider the venue for next May's firework finale.