Families across the district are being asked to audit the noise levels in their homes as the Council tries to tackle a problem which can create war between neighbours.

The Council has received 1,400 complaints about noise this year - with 900 about noise caused by neighbours. Most of the complaints were about loud music, barking dogs, DIY and burglar alarms.

But environmental health officers are trying to nip problems in the bud by issuing new Soundcheck leaflets to mark national Noise Action Day yesterday.

The list of simple solutions in the leaflets even includes arranging visitors for dogs which bark because they have been left alone and are bored.

The Council has clamped down on noise since Shipley Council tenant Jack Gott, 59, committed suicide nine years ago after being distressed by a noisy neighbour.

Coroner James Turnbull said at the inquest that he had borne a painful illness bravely, but had been pushed over the edge because of long-standing difficulty with a neighbour.

Mr Turnbull criticised the Council's housing department for failing to act on Mr Gott's complaints.

The Council's environmental health officer for pollution, Brian Anderson, said complaints had not risen in recent years but the Council wanted to reduce them.

He said: "Noise affects people in different ways. There have been suicides and even murder in some places and we hope people will look at the leaflets and think about noise in their homes and how it may affect other people."

Mr Anderson said the Council had served 50 notices in the past year under the Environmental Protection Act on people causing nuisance through noise.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for the environment said: "Noise can cause disruption and stress to everyone.

"We all make some noise in our homes and may be unaware that it is disturbing our neighbours."

The Soundcheck leaflets include forms which people can fill in to audit their own noise levels.

People are asked to examine noise from items including televisions, CD players, vacuum cleaners, floors, and power tools Also on the list are pets, alarms, lawn mowers and hammering.

People can fill in whether the noises annoy them in their own homes and what nuisance they may be causing to neighbours.

The leaflets say speakers being used with music systems should be kept away from partition walls and stood on insulating material.

People are being advised to place washing machines, refrigerators and dish washers on mats to reduce vibration.

The Soundcheck leaflets are available by calling 01274 751000.