A RETIRED vet certainly had a bonfire weekend to remember as a rocket came hurtling through his conservatory roof.

Robin Walker said he is thankful that no one was in the conservatory as the firework scorched a hole in the roof and exploded on Saturday night, frightening his dogs.

Following the incident Mr Walker, who lives in Knight Street, St John's, has called for tougher legislation on the sale of fireworks.

He said: "In the past few years the power of these fireworks has increased greatly. It is wrong that projectiles of this power should be allowed to be let off in urban residential areas."

He will now have to claim on his insurance to repair the damage, but is thankful that the incident was not worse.

He said: "I have three dogs and they had varying degrees of distress following this incident. It is ironic that as a former vet I have seen the effect that fireworks have on dogs and it is getting worse because fireworks used to be used just for Bonfire Night but now there seems to be many more events when they are being let off."

Although he does not believe the incident was deliberate he informed the police. A police spokesman said that it had been a quiet bonfire weekend across the area.

SEE TODAY'S OPINION 7.11.06