Fireworks sales have been a damp squib

Fireworks sellers say they are having the worst year they can remember as the credit crunch and the cold snap combine to hammer trade.

While organised bonfires are set to go ahead as planned, sellers are predicting that fewer private displays will take place. As costs are rising people are getting "less bang for their buck".

Neil Avery of West Midlands Fire Service, responsible for licences to fireworks traders in Sandwell and parts of Dudley, said: "Numbers have been going down for ages but there has been a definite slump this year.

"Traders have been telling me they are really struggling and a lot of them are now offering two-for-one deals. People just aren't willing to pay for fireworks any more, not when there's pubic displays you can watch for a fraction of the price.

"We have really noticed a drop in applications for licenses because you just get less bang for your buck now." At Oldbury's Firework Factory, Hagley Road, a staff member, who did not want to be named said: "It's been so quiet, the worst I've known it."

Jaz Lalla, of Simply Fireworks, Vicarage Road, Oldbury, said: "It's been hard work but there's still a week to go, hopefully we'll do OK. We thought we would do a lot of business for Diwali but it snowed so it didn't really happen." At Lye Fireworks, Dudley Road, Stourbridge, owner Anthony Round said a slight dip had not been too noticeable.

Zubair Hussain, manager at M Latif & Sons cash and carry Bilston, said: "Usually we are very busy at this time of year with Diwali, bonfire night and Halloween but this year we have not been selling as many fireworks." He put it down to the credit crunch and people cutting back.