A rugby club has apologised to residents after a fireworks display to celebrate the opening of their new clubhouse was "louder than expected".

Dartford Valley Rugby Club officially unveiled their £3.6 million revamp at the weekend, but apologised on Monday for their noisy celebrations.

The club, in Cotton Lane, Dartford, let off fireworks on Saturday which were criticised for being too loud and too late.

A statement on their Facebook page said: "The club was officially opened at the weekend with our first mini, youth, ladies and men's fixtures and sessions.

"We would like to thank everyone new and old that supported us, showing true community spirit and what the club is all about.

"We also had a big launch party on Saturday to mark the opening of the building which was fantastic.

"However, we would like to apologise to local residents for the noise caused by our celebratory fireworks display that was much bigger and louder than we expected.

"In hindsight, despite using a registered company, following all rules & regulations for the display, it is clear that is disturbed a large number of people and was scheduled too late into the evening.

"For this we apologise wholeheartedly. It was a one-off to mark the opening of the building and will not happen again.

"We are a family and community club, run by volunteers and the last thing we want is to upset the people that the facility was built for. So, again, we are sorry if the fireworks caused you a disturbance."

The club were celebrating their multi-million pound revamp which had been delayed for a couple of months.

The cash injection saw a new clubhouse, social centre and two pitches created at Stone Lodge. One of the pitches will be 3G - meaning it’s made of an artificial surface - with floodlights while the second is a grass pitch.

The changes came due to a growing number of teams at the club and were given the backing of Dartford council.

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