A GUN club that was issued a noise abatement notice following complaints from a neighbour has had an appeal against the order dismissed.

Hambleton District Council served the notice on the Duke of Wellington Gun Club in Deighton, Northallerton, last year after complaints from a neighbour.

The resident – who lives close to the shooting ground – complained that noise from gunshot during organised events was affecting the use of their home and garden.

Council officers who independently investigated the complaint agreed the noise levels were unreasonable and served the noise abatement notice, which required the club to reduce the noise to an acceptable level.

Club organisers launched an appeal against the notice, which was heard this week by Northallerton Magistrates.

And after hearing from the council, a local resident, an acoustic consultant and event organisers, the magistrates dismissed the appeal and awarded costs to the council.

Paul Staines, director of leisure and environment for Hambleton District Council, said: “We are pleased that the magistrates confirmed the action the council took and the noise abatement notice remains in place.

“The noise from this gun club was affecting the quality of life for a local resident and we took action to put that right.

"The council will investigate any noise issues that local people are suffering – we will step in and serve notices where an unreasonable noise nuisance is occurring.”