MUSIC lovers are being warned they could have their speakers seized after a mother had her stereo confiscated for belting out bass too loudly.

Hyndburn Council said it will make every effort to stop noise nuisance blighting the lives of residents whose neighbours fail to play their music at a respectable level.

The warning comes after the council successfully prosecuted Tracey Kirby, of Rishton, for the second time.

Hyndburn Magistrates Court decided that Kirby, 32, had become such a nuisance to her neighbours that the only way to stop her was to take away her stereo.

Kirby was first served with a noise abatement notice last year after residents handed council officials a diary of the noisy goings on at her Cliff Street home.

Complaints to Hyndburn's Night-time Noise Nuisance Team came from nearby neighbours including a 93-year-old woman and a young mother with a baby.

In October she appeared in court and was convicted of breaking the order twice - by pumping up the volume on a series of Madonna and rap tracks.

After a period of relevant peace and quiet, Kirby began to crank up the noise again on a number of occasions throughout May and June this year, the court was told. The thumping bass of tracks coming from her home disturbed neighbours to the point that they once again contacted the council and proceedings were started.

Hyndburn Magistrates have now ruled that Kirby will have to surrender her music equipment.

Other residents are being warned that a similar fate could await them if they disturb those living nearby with loud music or television viewing.

Coun Peter Clarke, portfolio holder for environmental issues, said: "People have the right to live in peace without being troubled by noisy neighbours.

"Other offenders should beware. Our officers will catch you - they have warrants to enter premises where necessary to confiscate equipment, and we'll have no hesitation in taking people who cause noise nuisance to court"

Residents can report noise nuisance by contacting the council's environmental health team on 01254 388 111.