Fireworks will be back to light up Weymouth's skies - although next year might be a more quieter affair.

The town council's Environment and Services Committee met to consider whether the annual Weymouth Beach firework display will continue from 2025 – 2030.

As proposed, firework displays are due to take place on the five Mondays of the school summer holidays, with an additional display on Bonfire Night, November 5. 

Following a debate, the council voted that two out of the five firework displays for the school summer holidays would be low noise for the next five years. There will also be an annual survey to check the public reception. 

Previously, an online survey had been conducted on social media to gather the opinions of visitors and residents. Out of the 492 number of responses received, 370 said they thoroughly enjoyed the firework displays while 43 didn't

There were 75 respondents who would prefer to see quieter fireworks.

People could also leave additional feedback on the survey and the meeting heard how some respondents were concerned on the impact on pets. 

In response to these concerns, Cllr Joanna Dickenson said the town should keep its lively entertainment in keeping with its tourist status. 

She said: "Anybody who has an animal knows you put them in the house and keep them away to minimise that damage.

"We've got to start remembering we are a tourist town."

Cllr Alex Fuhrmann highlighted how this event should be inclusive to as many people as possible and pushed for the use of low noise fireworks, saying: "It's not just a tourist town it's for everybody.

"Putting a dog in the back of the house isn't going to change anything. It's a member of your family who is in distress. 

"I don't think it's a big stretch to at least look at some of our fireworks displays to be low noise. If it was up to me I'd do all of them."

This move to have quieter fireworks is welcomed by Dorset veteran Andy Price who has previously been left unable to leave the house due to the mental distress fireworks cause him.

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

He said: "I think it's really positive that they are choosing quieter alternatives. 

"Fireworks have a detrimental effect on people's pets but it is also on those who have anxiety. Weymouth and Portland has a massive concentration of armed forced veterans many who served in the Falklands and Afghanistan. The noises of fireworks are very reminiscent of explosive devices in war."

While Mr Price is pleased by this move, he is pushing for all firework displays to be low noise. 

He added: "If they can do this for two displays, why not do them for all five displays in the summer holidays?"