FIREWORKS can kill animals without even touching them, the RSPCA has warned.

The charity, which has launched a campaign against the loudest ones, said the noise can cause heart attacks.

The issue of loud fireworks has led to a crusade by Medway councillor Angela Prodger which has triggered a huge response from local residents. Many of them were concerned about the suffering caused to their pets.

The RSPCA said last November that two rabbits at its clinic in Walderslade, near cahtham, died from heart attacks while others died from fright.

The charity's new report, Quiet Please, concludes fireworks with the same decibels levels as road drills and nightclubs should be banned from public use.

RSPCA chief veterinary officer Chris Laurence said: "As fireworks are used more and more, we believe urgent measures must be taken to stop distress and injury to animals."

Pamela Knott, 70, of Cheney Close, Parkwood, Rainham said fireworks made her 10-year-old rough collie, Lady, a nervous wreck. She added: "I turn up the TV and radio to drown out the sound but it doesn't work."

An RSPCA survey of vets in England and Wales, published last October, showed in one year alone 4,825 animals were treated for firework related injuries and/or were prescribed with sedatives because they were so frightened.