CLAIRE Parker's letter in the Shuttle/Times & News (November 28) expressed her opinion about letting off fireworks and described them as a tool for celebration.

If she had lived through the war, with the screech of falling bombs, loud explosions and the sound of German planes machine-gunning people on the street, she would not think the racket fireworks make so wonderful.

If she had lived in a country like South Africa, where one can be woken at night to the sound of gunfire and wonder if a bullet is coming through the window, the sound of fireworks would not appeal so much.

If she was then struggling on a pension, was wondering how to buy Christmas gifts and had to cut down on food to do so, she might even question the wisdom of spending money on fireworks.

If she was a nurse in a hospital accident unit and saw the appalling injuries caused by fireworks, or a firefighter risking their life to control a blaze caused by fireworks, she would have second thoughts about what might be called selfish enjoyment.

The sale and use of fireworks should be more strictly controlled, as with any other explosive.

LEON MANZI

Birchen Coppice

Kidderminster