National park pub cancels fireworks after outcry

The pub is situated on the edge of the New Forest National Park

A pub on the edge of a national park has cancelled a fireworks display after protests over the welfare of animals.

The planned event at The Alice Lisle, at Rockford, near Ringwood, Hampshire, sparked an online debate about the effect on livestock and pets in the New Forest.

One Facebook user described the pub's offer of discounts for local residents as "blood money" while others urged critics to "live and let live".

Pub managers said they had heard the community's concerns.

In a Facebook post, they said: "We now fully understand and appreciate the distress a fireworks display would cause to both local residents and the wonderful wildlife around us."

One critic previously posted: "Absolutely disgraceful. Where are you National Parks?"

However other Facebook users pointed out that fireworks displays and other noise disturbances were a part of New Forest life.

In response to the pub's plan, an online petition was started earlier to ban fireworks in the New Forest.

It attracted more than 500 signatures in 14 hours.

The New Forest National Park Authority website has advice for display organisers, urging them "to be aware of ponies and other animals when using fireworks to avoid causing them injuries and distress".