South Ribble Council tells Lostock Hall ice cream man to stop playing chimes late in the evening after complaints from parents

South Ribble Council says it has received a number of complaints from parents angry the van’s chimes are stopping their children from drifting off to sleep.

The vendor, who the council has not named but says does have a licence to operate in South Ribble, is accused of continuing to play traditional ‘ice cream chime’ music way past the 7pm legal cut off point.

It comes after a number of parents took to Facebook to voice their annoyance at the practice. On Sunday night, one mother took to Facebook to express her annoyance at the unknown ice cream man. The user posted: “Am I showing my age by being annoyed at the ice cream man coming round ringing his chime at half past flippin 8. Seriously though it disturbed putting my baby to bed, she thought the tune was great though.”

What do the complainants say?

“I’ve secretly been angry about the same thing but feeling super lame for thinking it half 7 here, right outside the bedroom windows I always want one too!!”

“Yup, I settle my 10 month old to bed at 7pm and there goes the ice cream van an hour later”

“Yes!!!! It makes me angry too!! Right on baby's bedtime and its so loud. Thought I was being grumpy about it I live on the corner and I feel I get it three times down each road.

“I would be fuming. My child will want an ice-cream 24/7 and they cost a fortune”

“Also roll my eyes every time I hear it”

What do the supporters say?

“Imagine the world without ice cream vans: I love the ice cream van. Before you say owt when my kids were little the ice cream van came round when in bed I used to get a tub for the next day the promise of that kept them in bed”

“I once had the ice cream van after 9pm usually park outside my house. But no complaints so far from anyone around here”

What does the law say?

Government guidelines dictate that “it is an offence to sound your chimes before 12.00 noon or after 7.00 pm”, although ice cream vans are still able to trade up until 11pm. If a vehicle is being a nuisance, action can be taken by local authorities and private individuals to require said business “to abate that nuisance”.

What does the council say?

Councillor Mick Titherington, Cabinet Member for Health, Well-being and Leisure said, "We have received some noise complaints about an ice cream van operator in this area who is sounding their chimes past the time cut off at 7pm. This operator has consent to work in this area and we have been in touch with the operator verbally and by letter to ask that they cease this activity. We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action as required.

"If members of the public would like to raise a complaint about a street trader, or have concerns, please contact us on 01772 625 625. Letting us know registration plates or locations is always helpful and aids our investigations."