A concerned councillor has called for a ban on the sale of fireworks as she explained how displays forced a friend to flee the country.

Councillor Jean McClung said a friend who had been in a war zone takes trips away at this time of year to get escape them.

The Saltcoats and Stevenston member made the call at North Ayrshire Council's meeting of the police and fire and rescue committee.

The SNP member said: “I personally think the sale of fireworks should be banned to the general public, full stop, end of story. People complain about the noise and the impact on their animals. 

“I have a friend who was a military police woman and she leaves the country to go somewhere where it’s quiet and you don’t get that. 

“Can you imagine if you had been in a war zone and you hear that noise?  I am sitting watching the telly and I’m jumping.

“I would ban them but I’m not speaking for my group or anything. The thing is they are used all round, if Rangers win there are fireworks as there are when Celtic win or it’s someone’s 21st.”

Meanwhile Garnock Valley Independent Councillor Donald L Reid has voiced concern about illegal bonfires held during Guy Fawkes weekend - and fears casualties from unofficial events.

He said: “There were two illegal bonfires in the Garnock Valley. One was in Milton, Kilbirnie and Streetscene took away the bonfire on the Friday and the folk involved came back and built an even bigger bonfire on the Saturday.

"The display went ahead but the annoying thing was they left all the stuff after it and didn’t make an effort to clear up.

“In Beith Public Park they arrived on the Friday and in fairness to the people involved it was well away from any buildings or other structures, that was quite good. It was a huge bonfire. 

“They did get it bordered off but quite a big number of the public turned up, maybe around 200 to 300 people am it went ahead.

“In fairness the organisers came on the Saturday to clear the whole thing up and clear it away. But if they want to go ahead why not do it properly and get first aiders in place. They decide it’s going ahead no matter what the council say.

“The danger is if someone gets hurt. There are nails and tyres in some of the bonfires.  At least if the council is organising it, you know what’s in it.”