Irate residents are venting their anger over a Kent University fireworks display which sounded like “a war going on”.

Canterbury’s skies were ablaze with explosions of colour last night as students celebrated the end of the academic year at their annual ball.

The event has prompted dozens take to an internet thread to debate whether the event was too loud and went on too late.

Commenting on the Canterbury Residents’ Group forum, Tim Long described the loud banging as sounding like “gunfire”.

Tamsin Martin followed saying: “Making our windows shake, horrible! Why can’t we have a warning for such powerful fireworks?”

Another witness said: “Live in south Canterbury and it was making the glasses on the draining board shake”, while another reported that their dog was “hiding under the dinning room table.”

Others complained that their children were disturbed by the explosions.

Gemma Louise Jenner commented: “Call me boring etc... but I have a 2 year old that cant sleep because of the music and im baking hot and cant open windows cos its too loud...”

She later added: “Some people actually have to work weekends and some people have children !!!”

“Didn't need to sound like a war was going on,” said Ally Evans “...to be honest fireworks one thing that last night was bit too loud.”

Others commented on the volume of the music at the ball.

Andy Wolfie Clark joked: "When I put the rubbish out earlier I could hear Grease Lightning blaring across Canterbury. Its a pity the weather wasn't obliging with the special effects..."

But many were quick to defend the revelry, praising the “fantastic display” and pointing out that letters had been posted through doors in the area pre-warning residents of what was to come.

“The students are just letting their hair down after finishing doing their degrees,” said Sam Epps.

He later added: “Wouldn't you want to celebrate after doing a 3 year uni course. Don't forget the students contribute a lot to Canterbury, including the economy.”

“The uni has been holding its summer ball on the first Saturday in June for as long as I can remember. Therefore, local residents don't need a degree to work out that that particular night might be noisy,” said Valerie Day.

Peter Danger Langdown agreed. “It's two nights a year, one for each uni - the worlds not going end. Let people celebrate, you get your quiet evening the other 350 or so days a year,” he said.