A Skipton woman has expressed surprise after receiving complaints about noise being made by her two children playing outside.

Burnside Avenue resident Carol Culverhouse received a letter from Craven District Council’s environmental health department stating that complaints had been received that excessive noise from “loud shouting and screaming” was causing a nuisance to neighbours.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” said Mrs Culverhouse, who said the only noise it could have been would be from her two children, Aimee, nine, and Callum, seven, playing in the garden.”

The council letter, issued by the senior environmental health officer, states: “I do not wish to prevent you from enjoying your property, however it is unacceptable for neighbours to have to listen to excessive noise from your premises or to have to suffer other disturbance.”

A council spokesman said when they received allegations of nuisance, it was their statutory duty to investigate.

Explaining why the letter was sent, the spokesman said: “It makes the recipients of the letter aware of the allegations and an opportunity to consider the situation and, if indeed the complaints are justified, address the situation and make appropriate adjustments.”