A church clock that chimed throughout a village for 150 years was made silent on Sunday evening, following a single complaint that it was too loud.

St John the Baptist church’s clock tower was barred from ringing in December 2023 following the complaint.

It sprung local residents in Witheridge, Devon, into action as they set up a petition to save it. The complainant, who was not named, argued the chimes, which rang every 15  minutes, 24 hours a day, had been disturbing their sleep.

A noise abatement notice was handed down from North Devon Council to the local parish council on 22nd December last year. It was informed it could be prosecuted for a breach.

According to The Telegraph, one signatory, Becka Cook, said: “I believe one person’s grievance should not change or affect the joy of many.

“For hundreds of years the bells have chimed, and it’s criminal to silence them now!”

Lynne Bull argued: “We should keep the clock chiming. It’s a part of the church and a traditional part of village life.” In response to the complaint and subsequent order, the parish council was forced to put in a £2,000 silencer, meaning the clock will only chime between 7 am and 11 pm, and only once an hour.

The church’s vicar, Rev Adrian Wells, told the BBC: “I think the work of the parish council to fit a silencer is a good compromise because the bell can ring during the daytime and be silent at night.

“It is lovely to have the chimes and bells back during the day. The clock is a real focal point for the village.”

North Devon council claimed its “environmental protection team” had assessed the amount of noise the clock tower was producing and deemed it too loud.