An Ashby man who let off fireworks during the 8pm tribute to NHS workers on Thursday says he is a pyrotechnics professional with two special reasons to support emergency workers.

Andy Coker, from Atkinson Road, has responded to complaints from people who had serious concerns and said he should not have done it.

But Andy insisted he acted with the best intentions.

He is a first responder for the ambulance service and says the NHS saved his and his wife's lives after a serious car crash in 2002.

Andy works for Star Fireworks in Bracknell, Berkshire, a company that specialises in controlled displays for the likes of the TV show Big Brother, Christine Aguilera and Ascot Racecourse. Star Fireworks

And he marked this week's Clap for our Carers by letting off fireworks from his garden.

Amid all of the doorstep applause, the bangs from the fireworks could be heard over much of the town.

But while some thought it added to the celebration of the NHS workers, he did receive objections.

And while he accepted that the sudden noise may have caused problems, Andy says he will do it again next week - and wants to make the point that he knows his subject and let them off safely.

"I do understand where people are coming from if they have nervous pets or children, I'm not unconvinced by people, but it grates on me when it's assumed I don't know what I'm doing, I am British Pyrotechnic Association trained," he explained.

"My pyrotechnics career is a paid hobby with Star Fireworks who I work for on a zero hours contract, my wife does it too as well as will my eldest son who turned 16 in July, it's very much a family thing.

"Myself and my wife have both done the Coalville Christmas Lights switch-on and I've done a couple of shows up at Willesley for the Scouts Association, I'm heavily involved with the Scouts in Ashby.

"But every time I do it, I do it completely safely.

"I did my training and they show you some gruesome pictures of what can happen with fireworks if you don't know what you're doing.

"We set off two little barrages, ones Star Fireworks sell in their shop. I fired it electronically and wasn't even close to it.

"I get where people are coming from, but I'll do it again next week if I can get something to fire next Thursday.

"I went into Tesco on Friday and one of my neighbours said: 'Andy, that was fantastic'".

But Andy said he has connections to the NHS in more ways than one.

"I also volunteer as a first responder with the ambulance service and have applied to go frontline," he said.

"But I had a near fatal car accident in 2002, and my wife - she was my partner then - suffered substantial injuries.

"I damaged six ribs, and air bag burn to my face and 17 hours of memory loss, so I'm lucky to be here. Now this is my way of giving back.

"Everyone has their own opinion, but we're trying to do something great here."