FAMILIES in Marlborough were left fuming on Saturday when a late night firework display at the College shook the town with a series of explosions lasting for nearly half an hour.

The display was organised as part of an end of term ball for the public school leavers and took place on the College playing fields behind Hyde Lane.

It started at about 10.45pm with an enormous aerial explosion which rattled windows on the far side of the town in Elcot Lane and on the St Margaret's Mead estate.

The display was so huge that families at Pewsey said they could see the sky lighting up over Marlborough.

It was the noise of the fireworks which upset people and also the lateness of the display, which began about an hour after darkness fell.

Several complaints were made to police who said it was a health and safety matter and advised callers to contact Kennet District Council's environmental health officers.

Town councillor Marian Hannaford, who lives in Cardigan Road, said: "It was awful. At least it was not after midnight like on a previous occasion which brought a lot of complaints."

One Hyde Lane resident said: "It was like being in the middle of a war zone. I have never heard such loud fireworks."

Retired children's hospital nurse Muriel Gough, of St John's Close, said: "I was in bed when it started and I was furious.

"If they are going to put on displays with loud bangs like this they should have to put a notice in the local paper the week before so that people can be prepared and make sure their pets are in. The noise was terrible, disgusting."

College master Edward Gould confirmed that the display was part of the school leavers' celebrations and aplogised if families were upset by the noise.

He said: "The noise level was higher than anticipated. There was no intention to cause local residents distress."