Residents who say they are being blasted day and night by ear-splitting horns fitted to the new generation of trains have accused council bosses of delaying tactics.

Campaigners said Brighton and Hove City Council was failing to tackle noise pollution after tests found the horns were within rail industry safety standards.

Residents in the worst affected areas are demanding the council forces train companies to silence the hooters.

And they are still so angry about what they describe as noise pollution they are planning another pyjama protest at Brighton station at 10.30am tomorrow.

Ella Dzelzainis, who lives in Highdown Road, Hove, said the horns were still being sounded at night and between four and eight times an hour during the day.

She first complained to the council shortly after the new trains began operating six months ago.

She said: "The council seems to be trying to evade its duty. It is noise pollution all over the city."

The horns were recorded at 103.2 decibels (dB) in her street, 40m from the railway line. The rail industry standard is 102dB to 107dB at that distance.

Council tests in Addison Road, also in Hove, recorded 104.2dB at the same distance.

The hooters were measured at 100.5dB in Springfield Road, Brighton, 50m from the track, where the standard is 100dB to 105dB.

Ms Dzelzainis said she did not dispute the readings but the Rail Safety and Standards Board rules were causing real hardship and should be revised.

The Brighton-based Noise Abatement Society has been inundated with complaints about the horns, which are more than twice as loud as those fitted to old slam-door trains.

Director Peter Wakeham said the hooters were causing serious noise pollution, which the council should use its legal powers to stop.

He said: "This is a delaying tactic, this is not taking action to alleviate the noise problem for people living near the track."

The council said it was waiting for specialist legal advice before deciding what action it could take and, in the meantime, would carry out more monitoring.