NEIGHBOURS from hell are being told that it's good to listen.

Housing bosses have launched a mediation service to sort out "garden fence" disputes, to be run by trained volunteers.

It's the council's latest move to try to defuse conflicts before they blow up.

According to national statistics, one in four people cannot stand their neighbours with arguments occurring over everything from fences and pets to parking, noise and nuisance.

All the volunteers have gone through 40 hours of training including mediation skills, assertiveness, awareness of race, culture and disability, and counselling.

Coun Paul Nesbit, housing spokesman, said: "Often problems between neighbours can seem worse than they actually are and just by sitting down with a third party differences can quickly be ironed out.

"We are really pleased to have got this new service up and running. It will, I am sure, be a valuable addition to those already available."

In future, those involved in disputes with neighbours may be referred to the mediation service via the local authority.

Coun Nesbit added: "We hope the mediation service will help solve many of the difficulties that arise.

"However, we will continue to take whatever action is necessary to deal with those who make life hell for others living near them and who are unwilling to listen to reason."

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