A BURY pet lover is supporting a growing nationwide campaign to control the sale and use of fireworks.

Mrs Pamela Pearson, who runs her own Prevent Unwanted Pets animal welfare charity, has collected more than 300 signatures to back her campaign.

And some of the organisations which have taken her petitions have also enlisted strong support.

Mrs Pearson's own efforts mirror those being conducted throughout the country by other groups calling for Control of Fireworks for Animal Welfare legislation.

She said: "I've collected 300 signatures myself. I've taken my petition to veterinary surgeries and to shops, some of which sell fireworks."

Mrs Pearson wants the Government to slap a total ban on large fireworks which cause excessive levels of noise and distress.

And she is also pressing for all such goods to be licensed with limited dates so that fireworks can only be used within a stipulated period of between three and four weeks a year and at strictly organised events only.

"I want to help greatly reduce the number of injuries caused each year to humans and domestic animals by fireworks and to end the distress suffered by household pets."

Mrs Pearson says her campaign has received the support of many other pet lovers in the area. She is sending the 300 signatures collected so far to Home Secretary David Blunkett but will continue her campaign to win further backing for new firework legislation.