PEOPLE power has led to a cruise firm running parties on the River Ouse having conditions imposed on one of its boats to stop noise.

Residents who live near the river complained about loud music and chatter by revellers boarding the floating entertainment venue.

But Forward Boat, trading as York Boat, agreed to try to prevent noise from one of its boats as it gained a daily licence until 11.30pm.

Applications for licences for its four other boats were adjourned after the firm failed to provide plans of their layouts.

Councillors granted permission for the Captain James Cook to operate between 9am and 11.30pm each day. But all music except background music will cease after 9pm once the boat nears the city at Lendal Bridge or Skeldergate Bridge.

The company can only play background music while the boat is moored in the city.

The boat, which caters for up to 100 party-goers, cannot let people disembark any later than 10.30pm at Kings Staith, and no later than 11.30pm at Lendal Bridge.

Marie Horner, representing York Boat at Monday's licensing sub-committee meeting, said the company wanted to work with residents and had written to people in City Mills and South Esplanade to suggest ways of reducing noise.

She said: "My client wants to finish earlier than other boats, including Waterline, which has a licence until midnight in the week and 1am on Friday and Saturday".

Ward councillor Brian Watson said: "There is still a problem with the floodlights, which are very intrusive to people living nearby and I wonder if there is way of switching the lights off or lowering them to acceptable levels."

Ms Horner said the floodlights were needed to ensure people's safety on the boats, but the company was looking into whether the lamps could be lowered, dimmed or put on different switches so some of them could be turned off.

"This is still being investigated so we could not build it into the application," she said.

Resident Win Derbyshire, who lives in South Esplanade, said: "Sometimes there are three boats waiting at the landing stage and we are worried about all of them playing music for that half- hour before they set off.

"I moved there 34 years ago and at that time there was just one little wooden boat operating in the summer, but during that time we have put up with a lot of changes and we just want some consideration now."

Councillors agreed to ban music except background music being played while the boat was moored and welcomed moves to address the lighting problems.

Live music and dancing to disco music will be kept to the lower floor.

After the hearing, Mrs Derbyshire said: "I'm pleased that we've reached a compromise. If applications for the firm's other boats are on the same lines I think people will be happy."

Updated: 09:30 Tuesday, December 13, 2005