DORSET veterans have been left ‘unable to leave their houses’ due to the mental impact that the sound of fireworks has on them.

As the summer fireworks returned to Weymouth Bay, for some they bring joy and awe as the bright colours fill the sky, however for others, the sounds are reminiscent of explosive devices and gunfire.

Andy Price is an ex-Rifleman and suffers with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

He said: “The problem is that fireworks are essentially explosives. It reminds some people of IEDs going off and I know a lot of guys that struggle with this, especially those with PTSD.

“Fireworks can cause flashbacks and they make others jump – it’s all an involuntary reaction.

“The first big bang the other night made me jump because I forgot they were on.”

Mr Price, who is the founder of the Veterans Hub, explained the true extent of the impact that fireworks can have, saying: “I know guys that over this period won’t even be able to leave their houses and will just sit inside with headphones on.

“Some of the smaller ones that go off and make the continuous bang bang bang even sound like gunfire. It puts the fear of God into some veterans.

“Last year, something went off behind my flat which ended up with me having a really bad time. It ruined me. It’s not their fault as they wouldn’t have known.”

Mr Price believes that there are ways to make fireworks more tolerable without banning them all together.

He said: “I don’t think that people should just be able to buy fireworks. I genuinely believe that there should only be organised displays which are well publicised. Last year the council used quiet fireworks which was a win for everyone. It was a win for people like me who have issues, as well as all the pet owners and those who like going to the displays. I don’t know why that stopped happening.

“I’m a massive believer in planned displays as it means that people can prepare for them. At the hub we will make sure to put a notification out in order to pre-warn the guys.”

The firework displays are held every Monday night throughout August.

Weymouth Town Council used lower noise fireworks for some of its displays last year - but this won't be happening this summer.

A spokesperson said: The decision not to hold the lower noise fireworks was taken at our Environment and Services Committee. This followed evaluation of previous events which asked a question about this and predominately the usual fireworks over lower noise fireworks were selected as a preferred option. These meetings are open to the public.

"Once the summer season of fireworks ends, we will put out another survey asking for feedback so people will have another opportunity to feed into this."