A DAD who suffers extreme reactions to loud noises is dreading Bonfire Night.

Andrew Latham, 34, from Great Harwood, has the rare brain condition hyperekplexia and is unable to stop his body from from jerking in surprise whenever he hears a loud noise.

He then suffers a reaction similar to paralysis and is often unable to stop himself falling.

When noises are repetitive, or significantly loud and upsetting, Andrew – a member of the disabled stripping troupe The Crippendales – is forced to lie on the floor until his reactions are calmed down.

He said the noise from tonight’s fireworks means he will spend most of the evening laid down as a precaution.

The former St Christopher's High School pupil has tried medication and earplugs but said that nothing was completely effective.

He said: “The thing I have found to work best is to have a drink. It has the strongest effect on the part of the brain that is startled.

“If I have a beer before the fireworks get going, and do my best to keep very calm then it isn’t as bad as it could be.

“Even so, it can be horrendous and bonfire night is a lot noisier than it once was.

“The type of fireworks they have these days are very loud and it isn’t just one night any more. It goes on for days.

“Luckily it’s been relatively quiet so far this year, but last year was like a war zone.”

Andrew, who lives with wife Lynn, 34, and 10-month-old son Samuel on Blackburn Road, has had the condition since birth but was not diagnosed until the age of 21.

Hyperekplexia is a brain disorder characterised by an exaggerated startled response in situations of distress.

He said he was the only person in the UK diagnosed with the condition.

Andrew said: “When I was younger I didn’t know what was wrong with me and on bonfire night.

“When I saw them I would run away and hide, even when they didn’t make any noise.

“I don’t want to stop other people from enjoying their fireworks though.

“I’m just hoping the night goes smoothly.”

Two years ago Andrew found fame in a ground-breaking TV film after being picked to be a “Crippendale” stripper, the UK's only disabled male strip group.