A BLIND man fears he could be forced to return his guide dog which has been traumatised by a series of firework-related incidents.

Mr John Frost's labrador, Tose, is now so frightened and distressed that it is reluctant to go outside.

The 79-year-old man, who lives in Shakespeare Avenue, says that there have been numerous fireworks set off in the Manchester Road area of Bury in the early evening during the week.

And he also says there are similar incidents occurring at the weekends during the early morning.

"My dog has become very distressed and runs around the house very frightened when the fireworks go off," he said.

"It has become very distressed. I'm just afraid that I may have to give Tose back. The dog will hardly go out now, even during the day."

Mr Frost, who has been blind for 15 years, has had his guide dog for the past seven years and cannot face the prospect of being without it.

"As far as fireworks going off around here, it's really getting out of hand and Tose is terribly frightened."