The nights are drawing in, the tinsel and selection boxes are already in the shops (not to mention capes and masks for Halloween) - the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness is well and truly upon us.

But far from being a time to relax at home, with the central heating on full pelt and your favourite TV show, many people find themselves virtual prisoners in their own homes.

The reason?

Fireworks are also on sale in the shops, and, consequently, can be set off weeks before 5 November.

Fireworks can bring pleasure to children of all ages - but they must be handled with care

From late August, the sound of explosions echoes through the night sky.

It can be a genuine source of distress, particularly to older people and even pets. Sometimes the consequences can be lethal.

Already this year, a Teesside man has had part of a finger blown off by a youth who hurled a firework at him.

Joe White, 59, from Seaton Carew was working in his garden when the banger was thrown towards him.

Property has also come under attack - fire crews were called to the Acklam campus of Middlesbrough College when a banger was hurled through an open window.

Fire chiefs say it was lucky that the adult learners using the building at the time remained unscathed. They have also called for sales of fireworks to be restricted to the days before Bonfire Night.

So, who are the people letting off fireworks and where are they getting them from?

Middlesbrough Council and Trading Standards officers have pledged to work with retailers to make sure those under-age cannot buy the explosives, but undoubtedly young people do have access to fireworks.

Officers have also launched a scheme, believed to be the first of its kind, to ensure that fireworks cannot be bought and sold from private houses. They believe it's one of the main ways children are getting hold of fireworks and have even set up a fireworks hotline on 01642 728002 for anyone who has any suspicions.

If you're a young person, do you buy fireworks for your own enjoyment and see nothing wrong with what you are doing?

Do you think they're a good way of brightening up boring winter evenings?

Would an outright ban be a step too far or a valid response to the fireworks menace?

Are fireworks little more than dangerous explosives or are they, when handled correctly, harmless fun?

Does anyone really need private access to fireworks when there are so many good public displays?

How do fireworks make the winter months a misery for you?

We want to hear all sides.

Banning selling fireworks to the public seems to be the only option we have left. Another case of a few ignorant kids spoiling things for the whole community. Is it any wonder when we don't have any police around anymore? People can do what they like in Redcar & Cleveland. How can they need so much of our council tax when all we see is police stations closing down and fewer and fewer coppers about?
E Towers, Guisborough

I love fireworks but keep them in organised displays. I now beleive selling fireworks direct to the puplic should be banned. I dont have a problem for displays for all kinds of celebrations, several times a year, but the letting off of fireworks for weeks on end, in the street and into the early hours MUST stop, it is a upset to most animals and small children, endagering life and must cost a fortune. Please, enough is enough. ban the sale of fireworks unless a licence is obtained by the organiser.
Gaynor Thomas, Birmingham

They should ban fireworks to people who do not look 16 or over. I have been scared and frightened to go out at night because the bangers and crackers etc going off outside my windows early in morning till late at night even at the weekend.
Ann Bullock, Newcastle

Fireworks are being let off in my area at all times of the DAY and night which begs the question are they even being paid for, is there an increase of theft at this time of year as well. I find it hard to believe that people who have paid good money for fireworks would then let them off in daytime. They should be banned from public sale, available to licensed organisations, via authorised wholesalers only, make it difficult for Kids or unresponsible people to obtain them.
Sheila Humphrey, Manchester

I live in the Leeds 9 area. We have been listening to fireworks and bangers go off for the last 4 weeks. I think that fireworks should be banned to the public and only be sold to people that are holding organised events. I also think that anyone selling fireworks should be given a hefty fine the first time they are caught and then a prison term. I am also aware that banning fireworks from public sale will cause these to be bought on the black market, but if this happens the people caught selling on the black market should be automatically given a jail sentence.
Janine, Leeds

As chair of Cleveland's Fire Authority for many years I believe that there should be organised events in all major towns and all other sales banned.
Dave Punshon, Guisborough

Fireworks should not be available to the general public. Children throw them, put them through other people letterboxes and even tie them to animals, for goodness sake. I love fireworks but I've come to realise they are only safe when used in organised displays.
Heather, Acklam

Yes. Ban all fireworks, they are a danger, they should not be sold to the public. Also ban fireworks leading up to New Year's Eve when they are also on sale.
John Ward, Redcar

I think that the use of fireworks should be confined to public display, either that or made subject to far more rigorous regulations for their distribution. Having recently seen boxes of fireworks on sale in a butcher's shop window, I feel that tighter controls are definitely needed.
Marie H, Middlesbrough

Fireworks should be banned completely. They cause too much misery for just a few moments of flashing lights. just think what we could do with the millions that go up in smoke every year at this time.
Bill Hines, Middlesbrough

In the hands of a responsible person, fireworks are as safe as crossing the road. Should we ban knives and buy everything pre-sliced, or stop the use of gas in everyone's home? These are equally dangerous and used every day, not just once a year.
Paul R, UK