THE owner of Colne's Hendly Hotel has been fined after residents living nearby complain-ed of months of loud music making their lives a misery.

Landlord Bernard Collins was found guilty of three breaches of a noise abatement notice served on him in March 2005 for nuisance caused by music, singing and talking.

Last week Reedley magistrates fined Mr Collins £990 for the breaches, plus £450 legal costs and £290 Environmental Health Officers' costs following a prosecution by Pendle council.

The chairman of the bench said that the offences in breach of the noise abatement notice, which had taken place during the late evening over six months, had caused distress to people living near the Hendly Hotel, and Mr Collins had behaved recklessly.

Residents have repeatedly complained about noise problems at the hotel.

Trevor Mitton, head of environmental health and urban renewal at the council, said: "It's good news for the council and for anyone living near the Hendly Hotel that the magistrates have imposed this sentence on Mr Collins.

"It sends out a message loud and clear that Pendle council and the courts will not tolerate anyone who doesn't take noise abatement notices seriously, including landlords.

"Persistent noise nuisance is anti-social behaviour and will be treated as such in Pendle.

"Mr Collins's fine should serve as a warning to other people who don't consider their neighbours' right to a reasonably quiet existence we will take action."