A COUNCILLOR has warned that Middlesbrough Council will do everything it can to tackle nuisance noise-makers.

Every year, the council receives about 1,300 noise complaints.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive council member for community safety and leisure, said the council had a duty to investigate all complaints.

But, he said, if people ignored warnings given to them about noise nuisance, they run the risk of being prosecuted and losing their sound equipment.

In the last year, the council's community protection service seized equipment from four properties where excessive music and gatherings were keeping neighbours awake.

Coun Coppinger said: "In recent months, we have seized noise-making equipment by court warrant to stop on-going noise nuisance."

Once a successful prosecution has taken place, the council can request the court to provide a forfeiture order which permits the destruction of equipment.

Middlesbrough community protection service runs a weekend noise call-out service, operating from 7pm to 2am, on Friday and Saturday nights. The number is (01642) 726050. During office hours, complaints can be made to (01642) 726001.