CLASSICAL music being piped into a new bus station to deter anti-social behaviour from young people is not in tune with nearby residents.

People who live opposite the £4.3m structure in Stanley, County Durham, are being kept awake at night by the round-the-clock renditions from Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin.

The idea came from Stanley police to discourage gangs of young people from congregating and intimidating passengers.

But householders are fed up with the constant sound from the speakers, which are only 50 yards away with no barrier to deflect the noise.

Speaking as Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture reached its crescendo of cannon fire, father-of-two Gavin Wilson, 27, of Mary Street, said: "It keeps me awake throughout the night and I am sick of it.

"It's like having a noisy neighbour that won't shut up - but we can't go to the police because it was their idea.

"It doesn't even stop the kids hanging about there, so it is not having the desired effect."

His wife Trudy, 20, suggested a way to end their suffering with a compromise.

She said: "It is really annoying. But I wouldn't mind so much if it was Bon Jovi. I much prefer the 80s."

Inspector Ian Proud, of Stanley police, said there had been a small reduction in the number of complaints about anti-social behaviour.

He said: "We do not want to upset the residents, and I am sure the bus station will be able accommodate their needs by turning it down."