NOISY neighbours are being silenced by a crack team set up by Rossendale Council.

The authority's Environmental Health Department investigated more than 200 cases of alleged noise pollution incidents last year.

The most common complaints were barking dogs, loud music and TV, shouting, banging doors, DIY activities and faulty burglar and car alarms.

Now, during the National Society for Clean Air's National Noise Action Week, running from May 23 to 27, the council is playing its part in tackling noise disturbance - including warnings to offenders that they will be dealt with.

Environmental Health Officers are spending the week raising awareness of what noise pollution is, the disruption and distress it can cause, how noise pollution affects our quality of life and how causing excessive noise can affect and damage people's hearing.

They are also visiting two local schools, Sharneyford Primary School in Bacup and St John's Stonefold Primary School in Rising Bridge to promote the anti-noise pollution message and to discuss with pupils how problems can be prevented.

The council is also reminding local people that when they go on holiday they will not be able to deactivate their burglar alarm if it is falsely triggered. It advises leaving a key with someone who is able to deactivate any false alarms and to register this key holder information with both the police and the council's Environmental Health Department.

Research has found nearly two thirds of people in Britain are annoyed by noisy neighbours and for 14 per cent it has an impact on quality of life.

Carole Todd, head of Street Scene and Livability, said: "We are asking local people to be good neighbours by considering the noise that they make and thinking about what effect this has on other people.

"We are also encouraging anyone who is suffering from excessive noise pollution to contact the council to report any noise problems/antisocial behaviour that they may be experiencing.

"Our officers are here to provide help, advice and information for people about the problems of noise nuisance, and where justified to take action against the worst offenders."