Noise row erupts in villages

The pub says one live music night a month is not excessive

A row has broken out in two small Cambridgeshire joined villages over complaints about noise.

The only pub in picturesque Wyton, near Houghton, has lost its music licence, and the local shop has been told its refrigerators are too loud.

Both could face fines of up to £20,000

Pub landlord Ian Cookson thinks the neighbours are being too sensitive.

When the Three Jolly Butchers recently held a band night it was told the music was too loud.

Mr Cookson said: "Once a month isn't too much of a nuisance, we believe.

The chiller unit fans can be heard outside the shop

"We ask our customers to be quiet when they leave the pub, and we do everything we can to reduce noise pollution."

But it is not just about the music.

Now neighbours say the chiller units at the Houghton village shop, Provender Stores, are too noisy as well.

David Ebdale, the shop's owner, told BBC Look East: "These two chillers cost £22,000 - they are the latest state-of-the-art equipment, and by the supplier's statement, they are the quietest on the market. "

The district council says both the pub and the shop have breached noise limits and must keep quiet to avoid being fined.