A NOISE team will be out in force this weekend responding to complaints and visiting noise hotspots.

Until the end of August noise officers from Herefordshire Council's environmental protection team will be out and about on Friday and Saturday nights.

Following the success of last summer's noise awareness campaign, where 74 percent of those using the service rated it positively, the team has been mobilised once more.

Funded by a grant from the police and crime commissioner, noise officers will be on call into the early hours of the morning monitoring noisy hot spots and investigating noise complaints.

Marc Willimont, head of regulatory and development management services, said: "People have the right to enjoy themselves and some noise is always inevitable in work and home activities but we are asking that residents and businesses consider the noise they are generating and think about how excessive and prolonged noise could be affecting their neighbour’s quality of life.

"Fortunately, most residents and businesses in Herefordshire are considerate to their neighbours, but we will take firm action against the small minority who persist in causing noise problems.”

Last year, two noise officers operated as late as 2am on 21 nights over the summer weekends.

They investigated 45 complaints and undertook 338 visits.

If you are suffering from excessive and prolonged noise disturbance contact the team via the out-of-hours number on 01432 261761.