BARKING dogs, loud music and people shouting were among the biggest offenders of noise in Halton last year.

A noisy neighbour poll by Cirrus Research revealed almost 40,000 noise complaints had been lodged across the north west in 2015 – 623 of them coming from Runcorn and Widnes.

The top three acoustic offenders were barking dogs, 184, loud music from parties, 168, and people talking and shouting, 83.

Machinery such as construction equipment, in fourth spot, received 43 complaints.

Noise from vehicle repairs was reported on 29 occasions and house alarms annoyed 19 residents.

Disturbance from DIY irritated 15 people while four householders complained about nose from TV and radio.

Noise from birds and other animals was reported by nine people.

Church bells got on the nerves of two residents and public address systems antagonised a further two people.

Halton Council says that all 623 complaints were resolved and none were taken to court where they could have ended in some form of conviction or fine.

The Freedom of Information request revealed that Warrington had 924 complaints, St Helens totalled 917, Liverpool 2,835, Cheshire East 1,265, Cheshire West and Chester 1,260 and Greater Manchester 11,222.

Halton’s figures saw a drop in complaints on 2014 when 609 were logged.

There was a slight increase in 2013 with 653 disturbances.

However, in 2012, complaints peaked at 708.

Halton Council has issued advice to anyone blighted by excessive noise.

A spokesman said: “Our advice would be firstly to talk to the neighbour if they are comfortable doing this.

“If they are not happy to do this or this has had no effect then they should call the council’s contact centre who will take the details.

“An officer will then call them back within five working days to discuss the issue and how the council can help.”

Cirrus Research is using the data to build up a national noise nuisance map of the UK.