CAMPAIGNERS spoke of their delight yesterday as moves to ban the indiscriminate use of fireworks gathered pace.

Darlington councillor Jim Ruck, who represents the town's West End ward, has been campaigning for public support for legislation to prevent late-night fireworks parties and youngsters using them in the streets.

He took up the issue with police and borough council chiefs after complaints from residents in his ward.

A Home Office White Paper on anti-social behaviour now looks likely to take a stand against the problem.

The Government is to give its backing to a Private Members' Bill that includes a number of clauses concerning fireworks.

Included in the clauses are a ban on the sale of fireworks with the exception of a month around November 5; limiting noise levels to 113 decibels and banning fireworks from being let off after 11pm, with the exception of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Fireworks would also not be sold individually, but only as part of a selection box.

Coun Ruck said yesterday: "It is absolutely the kind of thing I have been campaigning for.

"The support for this has been coming from many sources. The feeling in the area, across the board, is that it makes a lot of sense.

"It has been framed rather well because it is recognising that people do have a right to let off fireworks in a regulated and responsible way.

"A lot of response has been generated from this."

Members of Darlington Borough Council's public protection forum will consider the matter at a meeting next week.

The issue took on greater significance after the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association highlighted the crippling cost of fireworks to its support services.

The charity said the problem had escalated in recent years, with an increasing numbers of guide dogs and other working dogs having to be retired after being traumatised by the irresponsible use of fireworks.

Following reports in The Northern Echo, several readers wrote in support of action. Their suggestions included that the sale and use of fireworks should be restricted to the run-up to November 5, with the exception of organised displays to mark special occasions.