THE return of Durham Pride has been met with objections from residents who say at last year’s event the band Jedward played so loudly it made their houses shake.

Durham Pride is set to return for the fifth time on the late May bank holiday.

Last year, thousands of people took to the streets of Durham to take part in the parade before enjoying music at the Sands.

But, this year, local residents have objected because of the amount of noise generated by the event, which included acts like Irish duo Jedward, Tess Tickle and the Dragettes, The Clubland Divas, Big Brovaz, Booty Luv, Northern Proud Voices and Rob Lamberti.

Members of St Nicholas’ Community Forum (SNCF) have written to Durham County Council about the noise, while both county councillors for the area have objected to the event going ahead at The Sands after they received complaints about public nuisance.

SNCF secretary Janet George said: “Residents of the Sands have come to use and have stated they feel very strongly that their residential area is not an appropriate place for this weekend event to take place.

“Comments given to us from those living in the area include that in their experience of the event last year they felt noise levels were unacceptably high throughout.”

The Pride committee has applied for a licence to play live music and for the supply of alcohol between 12pm and 7pm on Sunday, May 27.

It has been working Durham Police to ensure the event is safe with Durham County Council’s environmental health team to manage noise levels.

The committee has pledged to monitor noise levels and is minimising noise pollution where possible.

Volunteers will also be providing a hotline for residents to phone on the day.

Last year was the first time Pride was held at the Sands, after moving to the larger venue from Millennium Place.

It started in 2014 with a handful of people and has grown year-on-year, with organisers saying that last year’s event welcomed around 10,000 people.

Pride raises money to support the LGBT community in County Durham.

The event at the Sands will be followed by an after party at Klute, in Elvet Bridge.