MAGISTRATES could pull the plug on noisy neighbours who are planning anything but a silent night over the festive holiday.

Asking courts to confiscate music systems will be a sanction sought by a council on Teesside.

The threat from Middlesbrough Council comes as complaints about loud music soar and the local authority's weekend noise patrols work flat out to stay on top.

The team has responded to 326 complaints during the past eight months, with those about loud music becoming more and more frequent.

Councillor Oliver Johnson is appealing to revellers to consider their neighbours and keep hi-fi levels reasonable.

"While no one wants to be a killjoy at Christmas, we would urge anyone who is having a party to respect the feelings of the people who live nearby,'' said Coun Johnson, Middlesbrough's commissioner for the environment.

"Always make sure that you tell them beforehand if you are planning to have a party. Try to minimise noise from music or people coming and going, and agree to reasonable requests to turn the noise down.''

He said: "It doesn't need to be a silent night, but if you show consideration and follow some basic rules it can be a peaceful one.

"Anyone who continues to break the law can lose their stereo equipment.''

In addition to the noise patrols' increasing number of call-outs, between April and November, the team made 357 pre-planned visits to homes and other premises where there had been a noise complaint.

Coun Johnson said: "The statistics show that the noise patrol provides a swift and effective service, but sadly many of these visits could have been prevented by just a little bit of consideration and co-operation between neighbours.''

The out-of-hours telephone number for the noise patrol is (01642) 593458.