ANGRY residents called time on noisy drinkers using the newly opened beer garden at the Bird i'th Hand pub.

Residents of Crossfield Street, which backs on to the pub on Manchester Road, sent a 15-signature petition to the council complaining about noise levels coming from the beer garden.

"When the weather is nice they all sit outside till midnight making so much noise. People have even been urinating on my neighbour's fence," said a resident.

Vincent and Jane Shaw, managers of the pub, were first informed of the problem following a visit from an environmental health officer last week.

"We had no idea some of the residents were unhappy," said Mrs Shaw. "Of course we sympathise with their complaints but we have been doing everything we can to make sure they are not disturbed."

They were told by the environmental health officer to put up a sign asking customers not to disturb the neighbours which they have now done and were told to keep the back gate shut at all times to stop customers using the back alley.

"We always make sure everyone is out by closing time. We have young children ourselves and we are so tired by 11pm all we want to do is get to bed. I can definitely say that no one has been out there till midnight," said Mrs Shaw.

Mr and Mrs Shaw took over the management of the pub three months ago, transforming the unused yard into a beer garden.

'We thought it would be nice to sit outside when we have good weather and made an effort to do it up. We have not had problems with any of our customers so far. Everything the environmental officer asked for we have done and I hope this will now solve the problem."

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