RESIDENTS living near the funfair at St George's Field car park in York have complained about the noise and say it is disturbing their once-peaceful evenings.

The fair set up camp in the car park last Wednesday and is due to leave on Sunday.

But Nicola Field, a resident in a flat in Cherry Hill Lane, on the opposite side of the river, said the music from the fair continued until after 9pm and was disturbing her peace.

She said: "When I get home from work after a long day the last thing I want is the boom-boom of the music from the fair.

"Why can't they just have the rides going without such loud music? Do the residents have no say?"

She said it must be worse for people who live even closer to the car park. "Why should we have to put up with it? No one consults us about whether we want this noise every night.

"This has been going on all Easter and we've got another weekend to get through before it stops."

Miss Field has contacted City of York Council, which is responsible for the funfair, but has not made an official complaint.

A spokesman for the council said: "Anyone with any complaints about noise should report them to the council's noise wardens, who carry out a full investigation and assessment of the noise - and can then take action if necessary.

"We have received one anonymous call about the fair on St George's Field, but without their name and address it is impossible to investigate and take any necessary action.

"The fair itself, which has been running for nearly 100 years in York city centre, has reduced its operating hours this year, following discussions with the council - and has previously reduced the fair from three times a year to once a year. Given the increasing number of residential properties in the area, the council has investigated alternative locations, but nothing suitable was identified. The council has worked with the operators to achieve a balance between making the event successful and keeping the noise and music to a reasonable level."

Nicola's friend, Dr Keith Davis, added: "The noise here has been ridiculous. Why do the residents get no say about what is on their doorsteps? Why should we have to listen to the thud-thud-thud of the music all night long?"

Updated: 11:54 Thursday, April 04, 2002