The Government will now enforce a strict new firework curfew in a bid to increase safety. It has banned letting off fireworks between 11pm - 7am, with maximum £5,000 fine and six months in jail.

Exceptions have been made for special occasions such as New Year, Diwali and the Chinese New Year which have until 1am but traditional November 5 bonfire displays must be over by midnight. 

Shops are also banned from selling fireworks louder than 120 decibels, and a licence from the council is needed to sell them all-year. Also, it will be an offence for under-18s to have them in a public place.

Diwali - 12th November 2004

New Year - 1st January 2005    

Chinese New Year (Rooster) - February 9th 2005

Fireworks are believed to have been around since the Chinese invented them about 2000 years ago and are used on 5th November to commemorate the discovery that Guy Fawkes was plotting to blow up parliament. The story of Guy Fawkes and the other conspirators makes interesting reading.
See:- http://www.parliament.uk/faq/gunpowder_plot.cfm
or: http://gunpowder-plot.org/

Under the new curfew the 5th November fireworks are not permitted after midnight. See:-
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=

There is always the question of safety regarding fireworks and bonfires - See:-
http://www.rospa.com/homesafety/advice/fireworks/index.htm