A series of measures have been approved to limit firework displays in Herefordshire - particularly the noisy ones.

Today’s (January 28) full meeting of Herefordshire councillors approved the motion by Councillor William Wilding, who said: "I’m not trying to stop people having fun, just to control the noise."

Organisers of fireworks displays in the county will now be encouraged to use "low-noise" fireworks, and to give at least two months’ advance warning of displays.

The council also backed a public awareness campaign on the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people, and agreed to lobby the government to limit the decibel level of fireworks sold nationally.

And it will ask officers to look into bringing in system of consent for fireworks displays on council-owned land.

Cllr Peter Jinman, a former president of the British Veterinary Association, said the moves will "markedly reduce" the risk to animals, as low-noise fireworks are "no louder than normal household noise".

"My profession spends considerable time each year dealing with the stress that fireworks cause," he said.

Also opposing, Cllr Paul Rone said he would not want to prevent large organised events, which discourage "backyard displays put on by men with a can in one hand and a firework in the other".

Cllr Kath Hey said she did not want to stop such events either, and queried how widely available low-noise fireworks are.

To this, Cllr Kevin Tillett said: "Hereford Sainsbury’s only sold low-noise fireworks last year, and I hope the city’s other retailers will do the same."

The motion was carried, with seven councillors voted against and three abstaining.