STUDENTS are being urged to swot up on their rights and responsibilities when it comes to noise and environmental issues.

Middlesbrough Council's community protection service teamed up with the Students' Union at the University of Teesside to mark Noise Action Day yesterday.

The service produced a leaflet primarily for students coming to live in the town on how to avoid noise problems.

Every year the community protection service deals with about 1,000 neighbour-noise issues - only a minority involve students. Complaints range from dogs barking, loud music, to construction noise.

Joy Swithenbank, environmental health officer, said: "Students often live in accommodation that was originally designed for families and not for individuals living separately - each creating their own noise source.

"This can cause problems, especially late in the evening if the neighbouring room across the party wall is a bedroom.

"The service has designed this information leaflet to provide students with practical advice about noise and other environmental issues to help everyone get along.

"Generally, we have found students to be very tolerant and understanding."