AN INVESTIGATION is being conducted into whether festival organisers breached their licensing conditions.

Residents near Canford Park Arena complained they could hear loud noise after 11pm from the Versus dance event on Saturday August 28.

The Borough of Poole gave an entertainment licence at the end of June after a meeting which several residents attended to try to stop the event happening.

They complained about excessive levels of noise from the first year of Versus, but councillors gave permission so long as noise could not be heard through "windows open for the typical purpose of ventilation" after 11pm.

But residents in roads including Moortown Drive and Wheeler's Lane complained again this year and called out officials in the night.

Jim Bailey, from Moortown Drive, said: "The noise was terrible - just like last year. This licence was given to people who it was assumed were responsible, but it seems they have breached their licence."

He was also angry he had to call the police at about 4.30am that Sunday to collect someone from his property who he believed was a drunken reveller.

Shaun Robson, Poole consumer protection manager, said: "We're making some analysis of sound measurements we made that night and we are investigating a potential breach of licence."

About 60 people sent letters of objection to Poole council this year. The event was also reduced to one day following disappointing ticket sales last year.

The investigation is expected to take around two weeks.

The organisers of the event did not wish to comment.

First published: September 10