As the nights draw in, the season of sparklers begins, with Diwali, Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve among the occasions typically celebrated with fireworks. But if campaigners get their way, this could be the last blast for bangers in the back yard.

In January concerns about the noise and availability of fireworks were aired in a parliamentary debate , with two petitions clocking up more than 180,000 signatures each, while earlier this month the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade closed a consultation on proposals including making louder fireworks only available to professional users.

Harriet Main, a public affairs manager at the RSPCA, said the charity was thrilled by the consultation: “For too long, pets, wildlife, and livestock have suffered from stress, fright and severe injury caused by loud unregulated back-yard DIY displays.

“Public appetite for change is overwhelming: the RSPCA hosted its own online action to help supporters submit their views to the consultation, and this…