A row over the noise from a church's clock has hit such a pitch it is be be batted over to two government ministers.

Members at a full Dover District Council meeting unanimously voted to ask for further guidance in dealing with statutory noise nuisance from church bells and chimes.

The council had imposed a noise abatement order to stop the clock chimes at St Peter’s Church in Sandwich causing disturbance at night.

This was after a single complaint from a resident but the action has caused mass protest in the town.

District leader Keith Morris, said: “We had no option under the current legislation but to investigate and issue a noise abatement notice regarding the church clock bell at St Peter’s Church in Sandwich, which chimes every quarter hour throughout the day and night.

"Our officers acted entirely appropriately in investigating the complaints.

“We also, however, understand and respect local history and tradition.

“The current legislation leaves no room for manoeuvre and that is why we are now seeking clarity from concerning situations such as this where church bells have rung for many years.

“In the meantime we continue to work with the Churches Conservation Trust to achieve a satisfactory resolution to the issue.”

Councillors had supported a motion by ward member MJ Holloway for guidance over noise from both church bells and chimes.

Cllr Morris will write to both Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs to clarify the law.

The noise abatement notice was served on St Peter’s Church in Sandwich under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.