NOISY neighbours' bedroom nookie is one of the more unusual complaints Blackburn Council's noise nuisance team have been called on to deal with.

And in another case, a householder complained about the row made by a flock of bleating sheep!

But funny incidents aside, the borough's environmental health division is dealing with a rocketing number of noise complaints.

In line with national trends, the noise workload has been increasing with requests for help and advice rising by more than 20 per cent over the last few years.

Most are about about loud music or barking dogs.

Last year the borough's environmental health division dealt with 745 calls for help and a similar number asking for general information.

Council spokesman Bill Haworth said the council had prosecuted people who continued to create a nuisance, and recently confiscated stereo equipment after a particularly noisy incident.

He added that in the case of the bedroom antics, the situation had been resolved "informally".

The council is staging exhibitions at Blackburn and Darwen libraries in a bid to stem the rising tide of noise nuisances in the borough.

The display is at Blackburn Library today and Darwen Library from April 26 to 30.

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