THE Scottish Greens have renewed their calls for a ban on the private sale of fireworks.

Concerns over the harmful effects that fireworks can have on vulnerable people, pets and wildlife, as well as anti-social behaviour associated with their use, have led to firework control zones coming into force at a dozen locations in Edinburgh and Glasgow this year.

Urging the government to go further and impose an outright ban on private sales, Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: “For a lot of people and animals, the period from the end of October to Hogmanay can be a dangerous and stressful time and Bonfire Night is often the worst of it.

“We saw that last year with the tragic and avoidable death of Roxie, a red panda, in Edinburgh zoo.

“Fireworks are explosives and they are consistently misused, but controls are minimal.

“There is a place for organised and well-managed events and displays, which can be important community celebrations that bring people together. 

“But that does not justify the widespread sale of fireworks or the kind of dangerous, unorganised displays that we have seen in too many residential areas.”