Either Sutton has become one of the noisiest areas in the country or residents have finally reached boiling point after years of booming stereos and screeching scooters.

A new survey shows complaints about antisocial noise in the borough have jumped by 27 per cent in the past 12 months.

The increase, blamed partly on laminate floors, louder music and larger TVs, is one of the biggest reported by about 100 local authorities.

It will not be music to the ears of Sutton Council because it coincides with research showing at least 3,000 heart attacks and strokes in Britain can be attributed to noise pollution.

"Noise has been the Cinderella form of pollution, and people haven't been aware it has an impact on their health," a World Health Organisation (WHO) analyst said.

As experts called rising decibel levels "one of the most overlooked issues of our time", Sutton Council pledged action to prevent earlier deaths because of a lack and peace quiet.

Officers have powers to issue noise abatement orders after repeated complaints, leading to fines of up to £20,000 if they are ignored. But only 26 have been issued in the borough since April last year.

Chris Reid, head of environmental sustainability, said he would consider new ways of encouraging people to minimise noise.

Mr Reid also pointed out that complaints may have increased because of better reporting methods after a 24-hour hotline was set up six months ago.

"It helps to reduce stress levels if people know they are being listened to and that we are doing our level best to solve their problems," he said.

However, the existence of the hotline fails to adequately explain the surge in the past year, with a council spokeswoman suggesting changing suburban lifestyles could be responsible.

She said: "The vast majority of the complaints concern neighbourhood noise, reflecting changing lifestyles with loud music frequently played and greater use of gardens for parties.

"Larger TVs and surround sound systems also contribute to the greater volume of noise that can disturb neighbours."

The figures are the first to be published since 24-hour licensing was introduced in November 2005. They show the total number of complaints fielded by Sutton Council jumped from 1,708 in 2005/06, to 2,174 in the past year.

Call the council's 24-hour noise hotline on 020 8770 5070.

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