HOUSEHOLDERS David and Patricia Bowen-Jones are demanding thousands of pounds in compensation after rampaging cattle stampeded through their garden when they were frightened by fireworks.

Ten terrified bullocks burst from their farm enclosure and stampeded a mile and a half down the A4 after fireworks exploded in the sky above them during two displays near Corsham.

A massive explosion was heard as far away as Lacock, and the frightened bullocks broke out from a pen at Home Farm at Hartham and charged off down Hartham Lane and onto the A4.

Displays were being held at nearby Hartham Park and at Briarwood House.

They pushed through the gate at Mr and Mrs Bowen-Jones' home at The Lodge, squeezed past a car parked in the drive and careered about the garden, smashing pots and breaking an old sewing machine used as a garden ornament.

One of the cows barged through a hedge surrounding the outdoor pool, climbed up a step and plunged into the pool, breaking a solar cover.

Neighbours Neil and Anita Munn heard terrified cries as the animal thrashed about in the pool.

"Anita ran out into the road in her bare feet trying to find out what had happened," said Mr Bowen-Jones. He and his wife were on holiday in Majorca at the time of the incident.

Mrs Munn called the emergency services and jumped into the pool to hold the cow's head above the water. A fire engine from Corsham, a support vehicle, a vet and ten firefighters rushed to help.

Farmers Paul Gregory, from Easton Farm, and Bill Taylor from Hartham Farm also came to help out.

Generators were set up to provide light, straw bales were thrown into the pool and firefighters used slings to heave the cow out of the water. "We had three men in the pool," said Corsham sub officer Mark Unwin.

The rescued cow was given a clean bill of health and firefighters helped owner Stan Jones herd the animals back to a field at around 5am.

Mr Jones said: "They pushed out through a feed barrier," he said.

Mr Bowen-Jones believes the damage amounted to about £4,000. His legal advisor has suggested he seek punitive damages from the organisers of the firework displays.

"If we are unable to claim on Mr Jones' insurance we will be looking to them for the costs," he said.

Mr Bowen-Jones has collected 30 signatures on a petition to North Wiltshire District Council asking for a by-law to limit explosive fireworks to November 5.

Dr Andrew Stainthorpe, Briarwoord House, said: "I'm sure lots of events took place and our fireworks may or may not have contributed to the incident."

No one at Hartham Park was willing to comment yesterday.