A traditional church clock which was expected to be silenced overnight from today will continue to chime because the owners need more time.

Today marks 90 days since Dover District Council issued a noise abatement notice requesting the quarter hour chimes at St Peter's Church in Sandwich were silenced or muffled between the hours of 11pm and 7am.

The decision came after a complaint from a resident prompted an investigation which found the noise they produce exceeds the World Heath Organisation's recommended level.

But managers of the religious building, the Churches Conservation Trust, say more time is needed due to the complexity of installing the necessary mechanism.

They have applied for a 60-day extension on the notice allowing them the chance to employ specialist clock experts.

Dover District Council wouldn't confirm whether they have agreed to the extension.

Instead a spokesman said: "As this remains a live enforcement case, we continue to work with all parties to seek a solution. We have also written to the Secretaries of State on this matter.”

The initial complainant who instigated the DDC investigation says he understands the reasons for the delay.

He said: "I feel that DDC are dealing with it and it's in professional hands.

"They've got to give them time to do it and I don't have a problem with that but I would like to see installation with immediate effect."

The man who lives in St Peter's Street next to the church - and is not being named by KentOnline - recently spoke out for the first time after he believes a number of incorrect facts had been circulated during a campaign by residents to keep the chimes.

That includes that the clock, which was installed in 1887, has a medieval relationship with the town.

He also said a petition - which was rejected by DDC under the Petition Scheme, which states that the council may not consider any petition where there is a right of appeal already in place - was signed by people living outside of the area who he feels may not have known what they were signing for.

Campaigners say the chimes are quaint and part of the ambiance of the town.

He said: "To me it’s common sense to give understanding to our neighbours and visitors who are lighter sleepers. Of course we would expect to receive understanding ourselves given the same situation, whatever the issue.

“The alternative common sense is that tradition comes before humanity."

DDC has confirmed that other complainants have since come forward to object against the overnight chimes but would not give exact numbers.

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