WEST Cheshire residents seem content with a quieter life, with new figures revealing the number of noise complaints has plummeted in the past five years.

Figures released following a Freedom Of Information request put to Cheshire West and Chester Council showed there were 1,511 noise complaints sent to the council between 2014/15. The figure was similarly high in 2013/14 at 1,504.

But that number has fallen by more than 40 per cent and there were 878 noise complaints recorded for 2017/18.

This year's football World Cup and sunnier summer than usual do not appear to have made a big impact on this year's number of noise complaints, with 484 recorded so far up until the end of July.

Since January 2013, the areas which had attracted the most number of noise complaints were in the CH64-66 postcode areas – which include Ellesmere Port, Neston, Willaston and Whitby.

However, the most complaints since July 2017 have come from Winsford and its surrounding areas.

The most common type of noise complaint was noise from music.

A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "There are many variables involved which could result in the drop in the number of noise complaints across west Cheshire.

"The information and advice provided on the council's website regarding issues of noise in our community and how to react to it is comprehensive and effective in helping people solve issues.

"It could be that this is assisting residents in resolving the matters themselves without the need to contact the council for assistance."

Cheshire West and Chester Council's website at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk contains details of a 'noise app' that people can download on to their smartphones to gather evidence of noise nuisance.

Within seconds, people can make audio recordings of the noise (up to 30 seconds) and enter details about the nature of the disturbance, to make up an electronic noise diary.

The evidence can then be shared with the council as part of making a complaint.