AN AYR charity which supports the mental health of veterans’ is calling for a ban on the sale of fireworks, which can remind victims of war.

Combat Stress are pleading with the public to avoid using fireworks from home as they fear an increase of private displays as public ones are cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

The charity are determined to protect former servicemen and women with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, with the sudden flashes and bangs of fireworks bringing back painful memories.

They warn the garden displays across Ayrshire could have a significant impact on those veterans with mental health problems, with organised events better because veterans can plan for them.

Catherine Kinane, Medical Director at Combat Stress, said: “We see a higher rate of distress in veterans accessing our services at this time of year.

“Not only is this time of year challenging because of the grief surrounding Armistice, but the sound and sudden unexpected bangs of fireworks can be reminders of frontline combat where they were exposed to the horrors of war in service to this country.

Fireworks are on sale to the public from October 15 to November 10.

Kinane added: “Firework displays bring people together and create a lot of joy for spectators

“In a year that’s been extremely challenging for the nation to cope with, we don’t want to ruin anyone’s fun but we urge the public to understand how distressing noisy fireworks can be for military veterans.”