Loud music, barking dogs, car alarms or noise from neighbouring businesses driving you up the wall? Get in touch with Cornwall Council during 'Noise Action Week'.

Co-ordinated by Environmental Protection UK, Noise Action Week will run between 19 and 24 May and is aimed at "raising the profile of noise issues and trying to get people to think about being more neighbourly".

The council says that it investigates thousands of complaints related to a wide range of complaints about noise including loud music, barking dogs, car alarms, noise from industrial/commercial activities.

One such investigation has led to noise making equipment recently being seized from a property in Ringway Flats in Bodmin where four TV’s, 13 speakers, stereo systems, DVD players, a games console, a gaming chair with speakers as well as other related items were taken away.

Environmental Protection Officer Jason Drew says: “The council’s public health and protection team deals with over 3,000 complaints of noise each year but many of the complaints are dealt with informally.

"However, for those that ignore warnings and go on to breach a noise abatement notice such as happened in Bodmin, action will be taken to resolve the issue. Noise Action Week is designed to try to get people to think about their activities and be considerate to others.

"The team here are more than happy to give advice on noise issues, but would, where possible, encourage people to try to resolve issues between themselves. If this isn’t possible and you can’t resolve it, we will be happy to investigate.”

Many noise complaints can be avoided by being considerate towards your neighbours with simple things such as :

• Music is kept to a reasonable level, or if you like to listen to loud music use headphones.

• Bass level is reduced on stereos/TV’s/surround sound systems - as the bass travels further and is often what disturbs neighbours, if that is lowered you don’t notice much difference in your own house.

• Don’t mount speakers on a party wall

• Dogs aren’t left alone in a property for too long or allowed to get bored and bark all day – often leaving a radio on and ensuring they are well exercised will mean they will be less likely to bark as much.

• Speak to your neighbours if you are having a party. Let them know you are having a party and what time it will end. If they know to expect it, they can plan around it or go out for the evening.

• Restrict noisy works such as loud DIY/strimming etc. to reasonable times during the day and if you are planning a lengthy DIY project, keep your neighbours informed.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes and communities Geoff Brown says: “It is great that with over 500,000 people is Cornwall most are extremely tolerant and considerate of their neighbours but it is good to know that on the rare occasion when noise becomes a real nuisance and intrusion into people’s daily lives then our Environmental Health team are on hand to assist in resolving problems."

If you would like advice or to discuss an issue, local officers will be more than happy to speak to you on 0300 1234 212, or you can email communityandenvironmentalprotection@cornwall.gov.uk