Couple drop church bells protest

The Plunketts moved in opposite the church last year

A couple who tried to silence historic church bells which kept them awake at night have withdrawn their complaint.

Villagers in Chedzoy, Somerset, were outraged when "newcomers" Kevin and Glynis Plunkett called on Sedgemoor District Council to stop the chimes.

The couple said the clock tower was not in action when they moved in and they did not realise it was to be restored.

But they say they have given in to pressure from the residents and have dropped their complaint.

The bells at Chedzoy church chime around the clock.

The couple asked for them to stop ringing between midnight and 0700 GMT.

Mr Plunkett said he was suffering a high level of stress and his wife said the lack of sleep was not helping her asthma and high blood pressure.

The council said it was obliged to investigate the complaint and had been due to bring in noise monitors to test the level of the chimes.