PARISH leaders in Wraxall are advising residents to complain if they are disturbed by late night noise from a village pub.

Wraxall and Failand Parish Council leaders have written to residents in the village giving them details of who to complain to if they are disturbed by noise as a result of functions at the Old Barn.

The move comes after owners of the Old Barn, Fiona and Dibs De-Wolfe, were granted an extension to their current licence, despite objections from residents and the parish council.

The new licence allows the pub to serve alcohol and put on entertainment until 10.30pm from Thursday to Sunday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays

The licence also allows the pub to stay open later, although not serving alcohol, until midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 12.30am on Friday and Saturdays.

The licence was granted subject to a number of conditions, including keeping music levels low and capping the number of people allowed at the premises at any one time to 1,200.

The conditions also state that the licensee must take appropriate measures to ensure people leave the pub quietly.

The licence extension has been granted in perpetuity, meaning that if the landlords leave, the opening hours could remain the same.

Fiona and Dibs took over the Old Barn 18 months ago and have transformed it into one of the area's most popular venues.

They have carried out a number of improvements to the grounds and pub and this year have started to host wedding parties, receptions and community events in a formerly overgrown section of the pub, known as the walled garden. But on occasions, when there is live music at the pub, noise travels across Wraxall valley, disturbing residents in The Elms, The Grove and Tower House Lane.

The letter distributed to households in the village gives residents details of which council department to contact plus the emergency number to ring should they be disturbed.

Wraxall and Failand Councillor David Robinson said: "Since Fiona and Dibs have taken over the Old Barn they have done a lot of good work which has been reflected in an increase in trade.

"We want to encourage the owners of the Old Barn to consider the rights of residents to enjoy their peace and quiet when putting events on at the pub.

"I have spoken to some residents, particularly ones with young families, who are concerned about the potential for noise from the pub when there are functions taking place.

"The licence extension has been granted in perpetuity meaning that the hours would remain the same if the current owners, who are very responsible, vacated the pub.

"We have to consider what could happen if there was a change of ownership and activities at the pub were not controlled as well as they are now.

"As a parish council we are providing residents with the information about what they need to do should they be disturbed by noise coming from the Old Barn."

The pub has hosted a handful of weddings this year as well as a successful fireworks display last November when hundreds of people packed into the grounds of the inn.

Barn landlady Fiona said: "All concerns were clearly addressed in the hearing, hence we were granted the licence.

"No appeal was lodged.

"It clearly states in the premises licence that no music will be heard at the nearest noise sensitive location."