NOISE abatement officers from Thurrock Council responded to a welter of complaints today (Saturday, 30 March) following a music event in the heart of Stanford-le-Hope that raised the hackles of many town centre residents who were subjected to loud music throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

The licenced event at the Courthouse pub on King Street began around 2pm, with music booming out from a marquee in the pub's back garden. The ticket-only event was to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the locally-based Red Room Records.

The event featured a number of high profile DJs, with three performance areas within the pub – including the terrace to its rear.

It could be heard from more than half a mile away and those living close to the venue made many calls to the police and council noise team throughout the afternoon.

Local councillors were also contacted by angry residents.

The event was due to run until 2am in the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting fears of a continued intrusion into the lives of nearby residents, some who told Thurrock Nub news they were moving out for the evening to stay with relatives to escape the drum and base driven noise.

At around 9.30pm, officers from Thurrock Council visited the pub and negotiated with the event organisers, asking them to take the music inside the building.

A formal noise abatement order was served on the premises, which could have an impact on future events.

A spokesperson for the council said that they would be reviewing planned future events and, if warranted, might refer the pub's licencing regulations back to the council's licencing committee.