Sex, fags and rock 'n' roll

9:03am Wednesday 18th July 2007

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The smoking ban has left a group of Chorley residents fuming.

For not only were they already locked in a row with a nearby pub over complaints of noise nuisance from music inside the premises - now they say the problem has shifted outside the pub as drinkers go out for a smoke. The protestors have formally complained to Chorley Council's environmental health department about the Black Horse, Pall Mall.

One resident even claims to have heard the sounds of a couple having late night sex in one of the new gazebos erected to accommodate smokers at the back of the building. Lynne Godsmark, of Pall Mall, said of the noise: "This has been going on here two years on and off. Pubs were made for jukeboxes, not big speakers and karaoke."

She said the smoking ban had done residents no favours, with drinkers now spilling outside into the gazebos for a smoke, a chat - and a bit more. "There was even a couple having sex the other night outside in the back," she said. "I taped the comments on my phone to prove it, I could hear what they were saying to each other. It is disgusting."

She added: "I'm on medication, I'm not sleeping because sof it. They can be there into the early hours of the morning. It is horrendous.

"I'm willing for someone to come and sit here on a Sunday night between nine and ten.

"They wouldn't believe it."

Ward councillor Tony Gee, who suggested the residents contact environmental health, said: "One of the problems is that it's a pub in a terraced area. Customers didn't used to go outside before the smoking ban came in.

"The smoking area is at the back, but drinkers are also taking their glasses out and creating noise.

"The standard of life for the residents there is declining and they are getting upset about it. Some of the residents there are elderly and others have disabilities."

Black Horse landlord Russell Humphreys said he had only taken over the pub six weeks ago and was aware of the residents' complaints and would do what he could to remedy them.

"There have been problems for a long long time, but I have done what I can to tone it down. I have spoken to the neighbours.

"I know they are next to a pub but there's not much I can do about that."

He rejected the sex claims and added that he would be willing to meet neighbours again to try and thrash out any problems and create a better relationship.

Simon Clark, Chorley Council's environmental health manager, confirmed: "We are currently investigating a complaint about noise coming from activities at the Black Horse, on Pall Mall."

As regards the ban in general in the town, he said: "The smoking ban has been well received in Chorley, but we have had more than 50 enquiries. The majority of the calls seem to be about signs and requests for information.

"There have been five complaints about things such as noise and litter and one complaint about an alleged breach of the Smokefree legislation.

"For more information on the smokefree legislation visit www.chorley.gov.uk/smokefree."