A WOMAN fed up with hearing the noise of children playing is taking a nursery to court.

Jayne Tibbott, who lives in New Church Road, is seeking a noise abatement order for her next door neighbour - Hove Village Nursery.

According to court records, Mrs Tibbott claims there has been “excessive noise from children playing outside the nursery for long periods of time.”

She went to Brighton Magistrates’ Court this week for a pre-trial hearing into her case against the nursery, which has about 200 children up to the age of five.

The case is due to be heard on July 10.

It has been reported that her complaint could lead to the nursery being forced to cut outdoor playtime, and managers could face a fine of up to £5,000 if any noise abatement order was breached.

News of the case has worried parents.

A father of a four-year-old boy attending the nursery told the Daily Mail: “My little lad loves coming here and it’s a brilliant place for the kids.

“They just do what normal small children of that age do when they play outside.

“Most people love the sound of youngsters enjoying themselves. I think it’s very sad their playtime may be curtailed.”

Managing director of the nursery Kathryn Hyatt declined to comment.

The pre-school, which has been praised by Ofsted, is also opening a branch just next to Hove library.

On the nursery website it says staff will be making the most of a disused area behind the registered building.

It says: “Children attending our Hove Library setting will not only benefit from the wonderful facilities, but will also enjoy joining with the children at our other nursery setting just along the road.”

One Hove library user said: “While I love the fact that children can play outside, it is a little worrying they will be going ahead with that.

“I know to protect the lovely, registered building they needed to rent parts of it out but it will be incredibly noisy when the nursery children start using the space which makes me a little concerned for those using the library.

“I am not saying this woman should be taking them to court, but I can’t help but feel worried about the noise in that area.”