A MAN who made his neighbours' lives a misery by blasting out loud music including hit tunes by pop band Keane has been told this is the last time'!

Environmental health officers and police stormed the home of noisy neighbour Kenneth Howard Hewitt, 36, and seized his stereo earlier this week.

Today fed-up neighbours living in Queen Anne Street, Haslingden, spoke of their 12 months of hell after being plagued by music blaring out early morning and late at night.

Claire and Barry Crompton, who live next door with their two young children, said they have had to put up with sound tracks including hits by Indie band Keane - famous for the hit single This is the Last Time - as well as Jamaican influenced reggae music blaring through the walls.

Barry, who said they have had to put up with the loud music since he moved in with his family a year ago, said: "The music would come on as early as 6am and we would be kept awake until the early hours of the morning.

"It's been really hard especially with having the children as they have not been able to sleep.

"It's been a nightmare. When it first happened I went round to complain but he couldn't hear me knocking because the music was so loud so I made a complaint and he asked why I hadn't mentioned it to him.

"When it happened again I went round and was threatened so I was told not to go round again and to leave it to the environmental health officers to deal with.

"Now they have seized his stereo it has been peaceful so far - however he did come home after his house had been raided with a small radio in his hand and said to us: Is this good enough for you?' Claire added: "We just want to enjoy our home in peace without having to listen to his eclectic mix of music at all hours.

"We shouldn't have had to put up with it for so long but we are glad action has now been taken." Environmental health chiefs said the action taken against Mr Hewitt should send out a clear message that noise nuisance will not be tolerated in Rossendale.

Philip Mepham, Rossendale Council's interim environmental health officer, said: "As an informal approach failed to stop the nuisance, we had no alternative but to remove the offending equipment.

"We will not hesitate to protect people's right to peace and quiet in their own homes and use powers available under the Environmental Protection Act to abate the nuisance caused by a small minority."