AN ANIMAL sanctuary owner is campaigning for Government legislation to crack down on firework displays.

Margaret Todd, who has run the Lord Whisky Sanctuary at Stelling Minnis, near Canterbury, for more than 20 years, claims Guy Fawkes' celebrations have caused increasing levels of distress and suffering for wildlife and domestic animals in recent years.

She is demanding an outright ban on private and public firework parties unless they are properly "licensed" by a new Act of Parliament.

She claims that the proliferation of firework parties before and after the traditional November 5 date unofficially laid down for the rocket, banger, catherine wheel and sparkler celebrations has become a serious public nuisance and is now out of control.

Mrs Todd, whose sanctuary is supported by a group of distinguished patrons, including Dame Judi Dench, the Rt Hon Lady Herries, the Rt Hon Viscount and Viscountess Hawarden, and the Rt Hon Viscountess Massereene and Ferrard, has decided to act following a bonfire night incident next to her establishment when horses, sheep and dogs in her care were petrified by firework night celebrations in the next field.

She said: "I wonder if the people who had that firework display thought about the distress it might cause us and our animals. Or did they even care?

"I know of one old lady whose dog became almost uncontrollable when she was taking it for a walk. The local policeman said he had to have a word with local hooligans letting-off fireworks in a telephone kiosk.

"Wild horses saved from destruction many years ago, elderly horses in their twilight years, pet sheep, dogs and cats were terrified by the firework party going on next to my place.

"We enjoy fireworks, too, but the time has come for licensed firework parties on one day only, starting next year. These bonfire parties are out of control and are put on in fields without any thought for neighbours. They need to be properly organised with legal consequences for anyone who ignores the guidelines."

Mrs Todd's anti-firework campaign began this week when she wrote a letter of protest to Roger Gale MP, leader of the Conservative's Animal Welfare Society. She is also seeking help from Michael Howard, former Home Secretary, whose constituency embraces her sanctuary, and is launching a petition hoping that the volume of support will persuade the House of Commons to tackle the problem seriously.

"It needs legislation" she says. "The days when we held a little bonfire night party in the garden are long gone. It's out of control."