CHIPPENHAM NEWS: BLUEBIRDS' drummer Tony Keen has been asked to stop beating his drum so fiercely after complaints about the noise.

For the last 12 months the Chippenham Town fan has been drumming up support during matches, but club bosses have told him to quieten down to keep the neighbouring sports club happy.

But despite the request the 55-year-old, of Park Lane, Chippenham, continued to play at Chippenham's match at Dorchester on Easter Monday.

He said: "I was a little bit put out because it helps to get the crowd singing and all the players respond.

"We need to get the crowd vocal, especially at this time when we are trying to stay in a playoff position.

"It seems, by mutual consent with the sports club, we are going to try to keep it down a bit."

Chippenham Town are currently 16th in the premier division of the Dr Martens League and are hoping to sustain their playoff push over their five remaining games of the season.

Mr Keen said: "I suppose I'm going to have to hit it less hard now but I've noticed away teams who haven't got a drum bang on the corrugated iron anyway."

Club bosses have already received complaints about noise from the ground. Earlier this year, one resident complained about the volume of the PA system at Hardenhuish Park.

Neighbours in Yewstock Crescent West said the equipment, coupled with the thudding of drums and chanting from about 500 fans during games, could sometimes make it feel like matches are being played in their living rooms.

Officers from North Wiltshire District Council's environmental health department asked the Bluebirds to quieten down the PA system after carrying out noise tests at a nearby home.

Club bosses have already turned the volume down and assured residents they would monitor noise levels.

Chris Blake said relations with the sports club are better than they have ever been

At the time of going to press, no-one from the sports club was available for comment.