RESIDENTS say they are having sleepless nights because a shop's refrigeration unit is so loud it sounds like a hovercraft in their gardens.

People living in Rose Hill Close, Bromley Cross, claim the unit recently mounted on the wall outside the Co-op supermarket in Darwen Road, is making their nights unbearable.

Rose Hill Close resident Janet Entwistle said: "The noise from this unit is unbearable, so much so that it keeps myself and other residents awake most of the night.

"The unit is constantly on and off all day and night and it sounds like there is a hovercraft in my back garden.

"I work all day and I am fed up with sleepless nights, as are my neighbours.

"One neighbour couldn't hear her son crying in bed because of the noise. I and various others have complained persistently but there has been no response."

Another resident agreed that the unit was too noisy.

The pensioner said: "The noise does bother me sometimes. In the evenings during the recent hot weather when our windows were open it was particularly disturbing.

"Sometimes it will go quiet and you will think it has stopped but then it will start again."

A Co-op spokeswoman said the company was aware of the problem and hoped that it could be sorted out within the next few days. She said: "It has been brought to our attention that the noise generated by the refrigeration motors has increased since they were installed.

"We are currently looking into the cause of this and investigating what work can be carried out to ensure that the noise level decreases to its original, acceptable level.

"We would like to reassure residents that we consider their safety and comfort to be a prime concern."

A council spokeswoman said the authority could not comment at this stage except to confirm that it was investigating the situation.

It is understood that a block of five houses bordering the Co-op site are the main ones affected.

PROBLEM UNIT: Residents claim noise from the refrigeration unit at Darwen Road Co-op is keeping them awake