ADVICE on noisy neighbours is being given out in Weymouth and Dorchester as part of Noise Action Week.

West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council have decided to hand out tips to residents on how to deal with loud music, animals and loud businesses after getting 845 noise complaints last year.

Environmental health officers will be taking to the streets this week to meet residents outside Goulds in South Street in Dorchester and outside the White Hart Pub in New Bond Street in Weymouth.

Geoff Petherick, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council leader, said: “Noise Action Week is designed to help residents solve troublesome noise complaints and raise awareness of the best way to deal with noisy neighbours.

“It’s important to us as a council that there is a sense of community in Weymouth and Portland and good communication with your neighbours often helps to keep disturbances to a minimum. I’d like to encourage residents to take advantage of the roadshow by coming for an informal chat with one of our officers.”

Of the 845 noise complaints last year, 68 per cent concerned domestic premises, the majority relating to loud music, parties or barking dogs. A total of 26 per cent of complaints concerned industrial and commercial premises with approximately one-third of these complaints relating to licensed premises.

Most of the complaints are resolved informally but action was taken against those causing the noise in respect of 21 of the complaints.

West Dorset District Council Leader Robert Gould said most people have been annoyed by too much noise at some point in their life.

He said: “Often simple solutions can help resolve a problem such as turning music down and being more considerate to other people and properties in your area.”

An environmental health officer from West Dorset District Council will be outside Goulds on Wednesday with his counterpart from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council outside the White Hart pub on Friday. Both drop-in sessions will last from 10am to 2pm.

For more information about the Noise Action Week events contact West Dorset District Council’s principal environmental health officer Jeanette Guy on 01305 252282 or Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s technical officer Andy Bryant on 01305 838397.