NOISY teenagers woke up the neighbourhood with their 3.40am firework display.

Residents in Albany Gardens, Old Heath, were woken up in the early hours of the morning to banging and flashing lights.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service advise noisy fireworks should not be let off after 11pm.

Fed up with the noise, some residents reported the group to the police online and Essex University, although it has not been confirmed whether they were university students.

Resident Michelle Fulwood said it woke her up on Wednesday morning.

She said: "I just saw loads of flashing lights through my window and what seemed like continuous explosions.

"I actually thought I was being shot at when I first heard it and opened my eyes.

"I looked out of the window and could see three figures in the middle of our little circle at the front of our house.

"Two people were on the bench while one was lighting the fireworks."

She said people were hanging out of their windows from the flats surrounding the area, watching the display.

She said: "I’m not sure if there was some kind of party going on as the fireworks were all I heard, then after a few people were clapping.

"I do believe it was students, as quite frequently they have parties, with lots of noise, music and screaming going on until silly o’clock in the morning."

She said it went on until about 4am.

She added: "I got back into bed with my daughter and the dog as they were both petrified.

"The group even left their rubbish there the next day."

A spokesman from Essex University said they are looking into the issue and have spoken to students. They said: “We’ve been contacted by a resident and we’re working with the council and fire service to deal with the concerns raised.

“We’ve sent a letter to the private addresses reminding them of the legal situation surrounding fireworks and our expectations regarding student behaviour.

“We’re aware the council’s community zone teams are also following up.”

Police were notified of the incident at 12.50pm.