REDDITCH Council has launched a major crackdown on noisy residents after buying hi-tech sound recording equipment.

The move has seen environmental health officers take legal action against several residents in the last few weeks, compared to just one prosecution in the last 10 years.

And officers have warned townsfolk they will be stepping up their crusade as the countdown to Christmas and the party season begins.

Environmental health officer Steve Webster said: "We have to deal with every complaint we get in regarding noise and usually we do it within a few days.

"We ask the person who has made the complaint to keep a diary and we leave the taping equipment with them to record the noise.

"We then serve the offenders with a notice, giving them one last chance.

"If they still continue to make noise our officers will go and gather evidence themselves using another sound monitor."

Mr Webster said if anyone was found guilty of noise they could face a stiff fine or even eviction from their homes.

He said: "It is mainly stereos which cause the most complaints, when people have them on loudly two or three times a week at unacceptable hours.

"The hours of quiet should be from 11pm until 7am the next day."

He added: "But recently we have been having a number of complaints about industrial factories.

"People complain about the noise from factories operating at night."