A wildlife charity has slammed “incredibly selfish” revellers after bangers and rockets were set off next to grazing cattle

Kent Wildlife Trust staff spent hours clearing up sparklers, beer bottles and litter after unauthorised fireworks parties were put on at nature reserves across Kent.

Bangers and rockets were set off in Darland Banks, Gillingham, next to a herd of longhorn cattle who help to naturally manage the nature reserve through conservation grazing.

Area manager Alison Ruyter said: “Thankfully by morning, the longhorns were all calm and had not been injured, but they would have suffered distress when the display was ongoing.

“The people behind this are incredibly selfish and their actions irresponsible.”

At the Blue Bell Hill picnic site, between Rochester and Maidstone, more rockets and sparklers were found next to a sack full of dumped cider cans.

Alison added: “It was disappointing to see how revelers had left Blue Bell Hill.

“They had created a bonfire which damaged an area of the reserve and sparklers had been left everywhere.

“This area is popular with dog walkers and the sparklers had been poked into hedgerows in a way that could stab and injure a dog running around the area.”

An appeal has been launched for those who want to help the Trust offset the cost of fly-tipping, vandalism and theft on the charity’s nature reserves.

To donate to the Nature Nightmares appeal, click here.

The charity has also asked people not to dump their post-Halloween pumpkins in the woodland after a number were found around the trail in Cromer Woods, Sittingbourne.

This is because they can make wildlife unwell, and often attract rats.