A dustman claimed the neighbours he harassed had a vendetta against him because he snored so loudly.

Graham Tusler, 61, was giving evidence at Lewes Crown Court where he was appealing against a conviction for harassing Elizabeth and Kenneth Bates, who live next door to him in Storrington.

The couple accused Tusler of making their lives a misery by blasting out his TV and radio, which he kept on timer switches day and night, even when he was out of his house.

Judge Guy Anthony dismissed the appeal and warned Tusler he faced a long jail sentence if he breached a restraining order banning him from disturbing his neighbours in the future.

During a two-day hearing Mrs Bates, a nurse, told the court she was driven to despair by the noise from next door.

She was woken as early as 3.30am by Tusler as he got up, banged about, slammed doors, turned on his radio and TV and let his dogs out into the garden, where they barked loudly.

Mrs Bates, who has lived in the semi-detached house in Windmill Copse for 22 years, said the stress and anxiety broke her health and she suffered a heart attack.

Tusler, who moved into the cul-de-sac 13 years ago, denied deliberately creating a noise nuisance. He said he set up the timer on his TV and radio to deter vandals.

He added: "I believe it has been a conspiracy to remove me from my house. I am under the impression my snoring disturbs them every night."

He said the banging the Bates could hear was caused by problems with the pipes.

His dogs, Anna and Poppy, were let out at 3.30am, when he got up. He said he liked to spend a leisurely time before going to work on refuse rounds for Horsham District Council at 5.30am.

Tusler was appealing against convictions for harassment and causing damage to the Bates' back door and their car.

He was found guilty by Mid Sussex Magistrates in March and has carried out 100 hours' community punishment.

Judge Anthony upheld the convictions but changed the restraining order so Tusler could listen to his radio using headphones between 4am and 4.30am, while he had breakfast. He was ordered to pay £500 towards the cost of the appeal.