A couple's karaoke singing and late-night music sessions led to a string of complaints and their music equipment being confiscated.

Neighbours of the couple in East Cliff Gardens, Folkestone, put up with five months of musical torment every weekend until Shepway District Council’s environmental health team was able to take action and confiscate the speakers.

At times the sound was so loud the glass rattled in the window panes of other flats, and on the night of the karaoke, the song Sex is on Fire, by Kings of Leon, was repeated many times, to the fury of those who had to listen through the walls. “I really like it,” said one. “But not at 3am.”

One set of neighbours actually moved out at weekends to find some peace.

The equipment, including speakers, will be held for 28 days by the council, and returned only if the couple agree to pay council costs. It can be taken away again if they breach their notice.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “It has been about five months. Karaoke was one night, the rest of the time it was just big bass music, they had a huge bass unit. “Friday night was party night but not at a nightclub, at East Cliff Gardens.

“It was a disregard for other people’s right to sleep. It’s a nice area and I am not going to be put out of my flat by the actions of two tenants.”

The council eventually secured a warrant from Folkestone magistrates after the couple ignored a noise abatement notice. The notice was served after numerous complaints and after an Environmental Health Officer heard the problem for himself.

Despite the notice, the music continued and the council was called out on 10 occasions – once as late as 1.45am.

An emergency response officer said that when he was in a neighbouring flat “it was like standing in a night club”. On other occasions the bass was so loud it made walls and a fireplace vibrate and another time extremely loud music could be heard 50 metres away.

The neighbour added: “The council have been brilliant and their emergency support officers are out 24/7 helping people like me.

“I want to tell people to stick with it, because it is a very long procedure, but it does get results.”