A SAXOPHONIST has been left devastated after a noise complaint has forced him stop performing to the public.

Christian Beck, 50, of Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, says he has been “overwhelmed” by support after noise complaint forced him to stop playing his saxophone to residents during his Saturday lockdown doorstep performances.

Christian has been playing the saxophone since he was eight and has played with some of the biggest names in the industry.

To raise people’s spirits during the lockdown, Christian started to play on his doorstep for two hours every Saturday.

The performances were well received with people stopping in the street to listen. The performances also became a favourite of residents and staff at the nearby Forest Home care home.

Christian’s music also generated £340 for NHS Charities Together through donations.

However, now Christian has decided to stop playing after receiving a letter from Braintree Council informing him of an official noise complaint.

He said: “It’s quite upsetting to be honest. Playing the saxophone is like a therapy for me and I only play as a semi-professional now. I miss playing and performing and it’s upsetting to think that someone complained.

“I was really enjoying doing it and I think people enjoyed it too.

“I didn’t want to go against anyone so I’m calling it a day.

“I think perhaps I did push it too loud but I wanted them to be able to hear on the other side of the road with the traffic.”

The letter recommended that Christian lower the volume and get in touch with the council to discuss the matter further.

Unable to play at suitable volume and not wishing to anger anyone, Christian has now called it quits.

A council spokesman said: “Our environmental health team received a complaint a resident was playing a saxophone excessively allegedly causing a nuisance.

“As with all nuisance complaints we receive and as part of the council’s legal duty to respond, we sent a standard letter inviting the individual to respond appropriately to the complaint and to contact us to discuss further.”

To thank everyone for their support, Christian will be doing one last swansong performance this Saturday.