LAST year St Helens Council received more than 700 complaints abut noisy neighbours, with barking dogs the most common cause of the problem.

All complaints are dealt with by the council's Environmental Health Section using a defined procedure. Domestic noise tends to be irregular and intermittent and it is difficult to have a council officer there at the right time to hear the noise. A person suffering from a noisy neighbour can gather their own evidence and make a complaint to the magistrates court. Advice on this can be obtained from the council, the court, a solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Often the only answer is to discuss the problem and agree a solution with your neighbour.

Further advice is available from the council on St Helens 456338 or 456353.

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