COUNCIL chiefs have launched their latest weapon in the fight against noisy neighbours.

A new noise policy is being piloted in the borough which will force the council's environmental health section to follow strict guidelines when investigating domestic noise complaints.

And in order to meet these tough new standards, the council's environmental health officers have teamed up with North British Housing to buy a new hi-tech noise recording system.

The system, which cost more than £5,000, will allow noise complaints to be investigated much quicker.

Councillor Mary Wilson, chairman of the council's community services committee, said: "Noisy neighbours can make life a misery for many people.

"As a council, we are determined to take firm action against those who persistently annoy and offend in this way.

"This new policy and sound equipment will help us make a significant difference."

David Bradley, the council's senior environmental health officer, explained the pressures faced by his department.

He said: "Complaints about noise are increasing at a dramatic rate. Statistics show that nationally there are almost four times as many people making complaints than there were ten years ago.

"In Chorley the number of complaints rose by an average of 20 per cent year on year."

North British Housing on the Clayton Brook estate has been involved in a number of high profile cases resulting in fines and evictions for some of its persistent noisy tenants.

Lee Westwell, from North British Housing at Clayton Brook, said: "We too have received a growing number of complaints about domestic noise and we are working closely with Chorley council to stamp out this problem."

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