DEAFENING night-time construction work at a supermarket has been labelled as "horrific" by tired residents. 

People living near Sainsbury's supermarket in Blackpole have been without sleep for a week because of continuous loud drilling noises and banging coming from the store.

Julia Gibbs said the situation has got so bad that her family is suffering from migraines and has almost been forced to call in sick for work due to a lack of sleep.

The store is undergoing a range of changes which have not gone unnoticed by neighbours, who have described the noise as "excessive drilling" and "sounding like a bomb".

Sainsbury's has been carrying out the work between 8pm and 5.30am to avoid disruption to its customers.

"You cannot cope without sleep," said Mrs Gibbs.

"It is constant, so it's so invasive, and you try to get to sleep, but you cannot.

"It is nonstop - it's absolutely horrific. 

"It is hard to put into words as it's so excessive. It makes your brain feel frazzled and I can still hear the drilling in my head (during the day).

"It has got to the point where I want to stay in the office or a hotel because I do not want to go back to the house."

Residents have raised the issue with the Regulatory Service, Environmental Health and local councillor Jill Desayrah.

Cllr Desayrah has been acting as a liaison between residents and Environmental Health and said she is extremely disappointed with Sainsbury's.

Previously, a spokesperson for Sainsbury's told the Worcester News they had issued apologies to residents but Cllr Desayrah said this has not been the case.

"I would not like to fight with Sainsbury's, but I will support my residents," said Cllr Desayrah.

"It is annoying how they have decided to treat residents.

"I know they do not want to do the noisy work when their customers are in but why use residents as collateral damage?"

Sainsbury's is working on refurbishing its Blackpole supermarket with a new in-store Argos, flooring and food ranges.

The work is expected to last a few months.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: "We wrote to residents to make them aware of the works and that we have taken steps to minimise potential noise and disruption, with approval from the local Environmental Health Officer.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and we will continue to do our best to minimise disruption.”