THE indiscriminate use of fireworks in Darlington is being investigated by a joint council and police team after complaints from the public.

Members of the group will study ways in which the law can be used to prevent late-night fireworks parties and stop young people setting off fireworks in the street.

News of the team's formation was reported to Darlington Borough Council's environmental forum yesterday, when Tory councillor Jim Ruck spoke out against fireworks.

He said that although he was not opposed to supervised events at showfields or in domestic gardens over the Bonfire Night weekend, he had received a lot of complaints from people in his West End ward about their use at other times of the year.

Coun Ruck, who represents the Park West ward, said: "It has to be said that the campaign against fireworks is gaining a lot of momentum."

He said they caused disturbance and upset, and some of the explosions had been exceptionally loud.

"That sort of thing can cause an awful lot of problems, particularly in the West End of Darlington," he said.

"We ought to begin to some form of culture change as far as the indiscriminate use of fireworks is concerned."

Coun Ruck said that there was a possibility that such behaviour violated human rights.

He also said one woman had telephoned him in tears, saying her dog had been traumatised by loud explosions.

"To give so much pain to the animals that we love - and which are such a part of our lifestyle - does not seem right," he added.

Gillan Wilson, of the Council for the Protection of Rural England in Darlington, backed his comments, saying indiscriminate use of fireworks was a serious problem.

Keith Atkinson, the council's assistant director for public protection, development and environment, who is a member of the investigating team, said it would be meeting in January to review progress.

As well as council officers and the police, Neighbourhood Wardens are also represented.

Among actions under consideration are the sale of fireworks to under-age children, targeted patrols in areas with particular problems, and use of noise legislation to control late-night events.

l Darlington council is reviewing its roadside recycling collections. Council waste management officer Bill Westland said tendering for the service would be completed by the end of January with the new operator beginning work in April.

The decision had been taken because it was felt there was a need to develop the service on offer, he told the forum