THE issue of noise nuisance in York is being taken to the streets.

City of York Council and the mediation service Face To Face are staging a noise nuisance roadshow on Wednesday as part of National Noise Action Day.

The countrywide campaign is designed to increase awareness of noise issues.

Council statistics highlight an overall increase in noise complaints due to increased awareness and greater access to loud equipment.

Sources of the complaints include parties, blaring music, domestic noise, commercial and industrial noise, burglar and car alarms.

Ian Wallbank, senior environmental protection officer, said: "We hope this roadshow will help raise peoples' awareness of how their own noise might affect others as well as providing people who feel their lives are affected by noise with some advice on how to tackle the problem."

The council advise those with burglar alarms to provide the Environmental Protection Unit with their keyholder details.

This could prevent formal action being taken and could save money if alarms are falsely activated.

Mr Wallbank said: "There are no prescribed limits for noise levels but people need to remember that by creating a noise they may be disturbing their neighbours. Activities at night can particularly cause a problem. Our message is that people should always consider their neighbours."

The council's mobile information unit will be open between 10am and 4pm and staff will be available to answer questions and provide advice on an individual case basis.

Those unable to visit the roadshow can contact the Environmental Protection Unit on 01904 613161 or Face To Face on 01904 553838 during office hours.

In cases of emergency the council also runs an out of hours service which can be contacted on Friday and Saturday nights and Bank Holidays between 8pm and 3am on 01904 625751.