Fireworks forced Jenny Hollingworth's guide dog into retirement

It suggests closing the curtains and playing music to drown out noise as loud as a jet taking off.

But what if the animal cowering in a corner is your life-line?

Jenny Hollingworth, 25, is blind and relies on a guide dog to help her live an independent life.

However, three years ago her golden Labrador, Nisha, began to be seriously affected by fireworks.

Miss Hollingworth says Nisha was a very sensitive and caring dog who had to be put on valium when her fear of fireworks resulted in her having seizures.

It really does turn your life upside down. I'm used to being independent and suddenly had to rely on family and friends Jenny Hollingworth Fireworks curfew to take effect

Consequently, Nisha was unable to help her owner. "I couldn't look after the dog and couldn't go out," Miss Hollingworth told BBC News Online.

"The next year Nisha reacted badly to fireworks again so I was left with no option but to retire her."

Miss Hollingworth said Nisha had never been particularly comfortable with fireworks but got worse and worse as the years went on.

"We weren't living in Nottingham for the first few times and in the area where we lived fireworks were only let off for a couple of days, so I could sedate her."

But she says in her new neighbourhood the fireworks season lasts for eight to twelve weeks.

"There's not much you can do except heavily sedate animals and because Nisha couldn't work in that situation, we had to retire her."

Struggle

Miss Hollingworth - who at that time lived alone - was left without a guide dog for four months while a suitable replacement was found.

"When I didn't have her I couldn't go out I struggled terribly... Mum had to help me do the shopping and I had to rely on friends."

The first time she left the house, she said she walked into four lamp posts and three people and was almost run over twice.

I don't have a problem with the use of fireworks in general I have a problem with people not being considerate of other people Jenny Hollingworth

"It really does turn your life upside down. I'm used to being independent and suddenly had to rely on family and friends."

"It put a big strain on everything I did. It was also quite scary for me because I'm used to working with a dog.

"To have to revert from using the dog to using a cane - I didn't feel comfortable at all."

Miss Hollingworth's new guide dog, Kenna, has only worked through one Guy Fawkes season but so far has been fine.

She says Kenna is a "very robust little dog" who was picked carefully after the problems experienced by her predecessor.

"She's a very strong dog but, to begin with, so was Nisha. So it's still a concern for me because she could change."

Legislation

Miss Hollingworth has been very involved in the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's campaign to tighten fireworks regulations.

She stresses the group was pushing for tighter regulations rather than a total ban.

"I don't have a problem with the use of fireworks in general I have a problem with people not being considerate of other people. "

She says in her area of Nottingham there are a lot of elderly and people with young children who get scared by fireworks.

She is optimistic the legislation coming into force will make a big difference to Guy Fawkes season.

"Hopefully it will have an impact on way fireworks are used and it should make that time of year more enjoyable for everyone concerned.

"It should be a compromise for everybody."