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Britain’s bonfire battle as councils scrap Guy Fawkes Night occasions throughout the nation

Council killjoys have been cancelling bonfires and firework displays – blaming smoke, lack of wood, mud and loud bangers.

The jobsworths’ crackdown has left families fuming as kids miss out on Guy Fawkes Night fun.

Oxford’s council banned its bonfire for 20,000 people after locals complained about smoke pollution last year. Green Party Cllr Alex Powell said: “I’m pleased there’s no bonfire.”

READ MORE: Met Office rules on Bonfire Night ‘frost’ as weather temps set to drop across UK

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But a resident said: “The fun police won’t be happy until the fireworks are cancelled as well.”



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Decisions to pull the plug on the fires hasn’t gone without backlash

Dudley council in the West Midlands axed its fire for 25,000 spectators, claiming it didn’t have enough wood.

Among other cancellations a bonfire on Hoylake Beach, Wirral, was ditched after the council refused to let vehicles carry wood to the beach, and Colchester, Essex, saw its fireworks axed because it was too noisy for nearby horses.

While many people might be looking forward to firework displays over the coming days, they won’t be as enjoyable for our four-legged friends.

As impressive as they may be, the loud bangs and flashes on Bonfire Night can strike fear in dogs. New research from Pets at Home reveals that 60% of pet owners in the UK have seen increased anxiety in their pets around fireworks.

Laura Stapleton, clinical governance and regulatory lead at Pets at Home has issued a warning to pet owners ahead of the firework season. She said: “All pets are different and it’s important that you’re able to recognise what anxiety looks like for yours.

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