OLD servicemen and Worcester City Council have locked horns again in a row over noise at a Royal British Legion Club.

Last year, the council took the Claines club to task after hearing complaints from residents who said they could recite the words of every song at Country and Western concerts held in the Cornmeadow Lane premises.

In April last year, the RBL was fined £1,000 and told to pay £500 costs. A noise abatement notice had been served two months earlier.

"After that, the club complied with the noise abatement notice, and it all went quiet," said Anita Fletcher, the council's principal environmental health officer.

"However, we've received fresh complaints about noise from the premises causing a nuisance for neighbours on a regular basis. In March, another notice was served, but the RBL has appealed."

The city council has vowed to resist the appeal and sent its solicitor, Wendy Rushton, to Droitwich magistrates' court last Friday to press its case.

Richard Wilkes, representing the club, suggested an adjournment.

Magistrates agreed to postpone matters until Friday, May 4, for the two parties to hold talks.

They said that, if no agreement was reached by that date, the appeal would be heard.

"The complaints are about our Saturday night entertainment," said Sarah Clarke, the club's secretary. "We have single singers performing at the club between 8.30-9.30pm and 10.15-11.15pm.

"But we've done all we can to limit noise, and are having a new roof fitted."

She confirmed the Legion intended to challenge the noise abatement notice.