ALL-night parties could be a thing of the past as new noise pollution policies come into force.

Blackburn with Darwen Council was one of 16 North West local authorities to mark Wednesday's National Noise Awareness Day by the introduction of new provisions to stop residential disturbances.

The 1996 Noise Act now provides the council with a set standard by which to assess noise levels and a sound limit between 11pm and 7am.

Local authorities already have the power to confiscate equipment at the centre of a din.

Environment Minister Angela Eagle said: "Complaints about domestic noise have been rising by 10 per cent a year and by bringing the night time noise offence provisions into effect, we want to encourage people to be more considerate to their neighbours.

"Local authorities now have the option of a new power to deal with excessive noise from domestic premises at night.

"It will be the first time they can use an objective standard, removing the uncertainty about whether there is a problem.

"We think that these new provisions will be particularly effective in dealing with complaints of excessive amplified music."

The situation will be reviewed in two years. A free leaflet called 'Bothered By Noise? There's no need to suffer', which explains the legislation and controls, is available from council offices and libraries.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.