AS the region prepares for Bonfire Night celebrations, fears have been voiced that fireworks could trigger symptoms in war veterans.

The unexpected sounds of exploding fireworks can have a traumatising effect for some veterans who are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, as well as anxiety or stress.

The warning comes from the leader of the psychological well-being team at the Help for Heroes recovery centre at Phoenix House, Catterick Garrison, Precious Charuma.

“It can be a particular sound or smell, which will trigger some symptoms. For some, even the smell of fireworks, not just the noise, will trigger a flashback,” she said.

“I spoke to someone this week, who literally fell to the ground and was shaking and really frightened when they heard a firework.”

She added that the signs for friends and family to look for include detachment or looking glazed.

“It could also be a physical reaction so the person might duck down or hide in a corner or experience a panic attack, such as starting to breathe heavily or to shake.”

For veteran Ken Nash, 39, who lives in Moulton, North Yorkshire, the noise of fireworks can cause flashbacks, making him think he is back under fire in a tank in Iraq. It can also make his heart pound and make him start sweating.

He said: “It’s not so much the planned events as I can prepare for those by calming myself down and preparing for it. I put on my headphones and watching a movie.

“It’s the unexpected, for example, a lad letting off a firework and throwing it into the garden.”

His PTSD came after 18 years of service, including a series of incidents during a six-month tour of Iraq. On one occasion in a four-hour attack the tank he was commanding was targeted by 18 rocket propelled grenades.