A GWENT vicar told that his church bells are keeping his parishioners awake says he may be forced to silence them or face prosecution.

The tenor bell that chimes the hour at the 19th century church in Ebbw Vale, has recently been restored and sounded its first notes in August after a six-year silence.

The Reverend Geoff Waggett has now been told by environmental health officials that residents living near Christchurch have complained about late-night chimes and the council has now branded them a "noise nuisance".

Reverend Waggett said: "I resent being treated in the same way as someone playing their hi-fi at 2am in the morning.

"I think the whole thing is nonsense. It seems to be youngsters who have moved into the area in the past few years and are not used to it. We even had a few complaints about the bells ringing before a service."

The clock tower, which recently benefited from a £600,000 restoration project after being hit by a major fire earlier this year, already has baffle boards fitted to muffle the noise of the hourly chimes.

A device can be fitted to stop the chimes overnight but the technology could cost the church up to £2,000.

Reverend Waggett added: "So many people have said how ridiculous it is and not to take any notice. This is part of our heritage. But I can't not take any notice because I could be prosecuted."

Blaenau Gwent council is investigating the possibility of the chimes constituting a noise nuisance.

A spokesman said: "The complainants have been issued with noise monitoring forms to record the problem for assessment, and the matter has been discussed with Reverend Waggett."