THUNDEROUS fireworks have been shattering the peace south of York.

Residents say a deafening display on York Racecourse this week left children and pets in the area terrified.

The shock was even worse because the barrage of window-shaking bangs came without any warning.

Racecourse officials apologised for the distress caused by Saturday's display, but said advice from police and fire services had been followed closely.

Vanessa Bellwood-Collier, sub-postmistress of the Albemarle Road Post Office, said: "It was like being in the Blitz.

"For half-an-hour the sky was lit up as if it was day - you could have read the paper outside, it was so bright.

"And the loud bangs were just intolerable.

"We have had a stream of customers into the post office saying how their children and pets were absolutely terrified by it all.

"One lady said she had to put her dogs on valium because they were so frightened.

"Another said her crockery was shaking on the shelves.

"My own border terrier could hardly breathe by the end of it.

"We've had people in from as far away as Copmanthorpe and Rawcliffe talking about it.

"We can't live with it if this is going to go on between now and the New Year. This is supposed to be a residential area, but the noise is blighting the experience of living here."

After repeated requests from customers, Vanessa set up a petition on Monday afternoon to protest about the fireworks display.

She has already collected more than 50 signatures.

Brian Mordew, operations manager for York Racecourse, said: "Our premises do attract favourable attention from function organisers.

"We do not, however, ever forget our responsibility to be a good neighbour to local residents, several of whom actually enjoyed what to them was a free show this weekend."

He added: "All necessary permissions were gained from the local council and the police and fire and rescue services were notified well in advance.

"We complied with their advice in every respect and I would like to think that all of the many thousands of fireworks events throughout the land over the next couple of weeks will be as safely run and with the wider public in mind.

"We strove, as we always do, to do everything that was required of us and more in this respect."

He apologised for the distress the noise had caused to members of the public.

He said: "People's perception of fireworks differ, but we recognise that not everyone, especially pet owners, think they are wonderful."

Updated: 09:50 Wednesday, October 27, 2004