A BLACKBURN woman risks going to prison if she doesn't stop her dogs from barking.

Deborah Naylor was made subject of an anti-social behaviour order after Blackburn magistrates were told she had ignored an abatement notice served by the council following numerous complaints from her neighbours in Avon Close.

The court was told residents of sheltered housing were affected by the noise of the dogs and loud music coming from her flat. Naylor was convicted in her absence of two offences of contravening an abatement notice.

She was fined £50 on each and ordered to pay £410 costs.

The magistrates also imposed the anti-social behaviour order for a period of three years. Breach of an ASBO can ultimately lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.

Sajeda Raje, for the council, said the case had been adjourned on three occasions to give Naylor chance to attend court but she had not bothered.

She said there had been considerable nuisance to neighbours over a period of time and mentioned one visit from an environmental health officer who said while he was there the dogs were barking continually.

"There was no attempt to stop the dogs barking, even though Miss Naylor was present," said Mrs Raje.

Naylor's house was empty yesterday and neighbours said she had moved.