Curb on too many Christmas lights

Homeowners who disturb their neighbours by turning on too many lights could face a formal warning and a fine.

New laws will allow residents to complain about any brash lighting, from street lamps to flashing Christmas displays.

If the light is considered " prejudicial to health or a nuisance", neighbours will have the right to report the problem to the local council. Offenders will then receive a formal request to switch the light off or face a fine.

The new regulation is part of the Clean Neighbourhoods Bill, which aims to provide residents with more powers to fight antisocial behaviour.

Pubs and clubs who ignore warnings to turn the noise down will receive fixed penalty notices from council officers.

Local authorities will have the right to break into properties where burglar alarms have accidentally triggered and switch them off, although a warrant from a magistrate must be sought first.

Parish councils will also be able to impose fixed penalties for litter, dog fouling and graffiti and councils will be allowed to tow away abandoned cars immediately, rather than being forced to wait for 24 hours.

Environment Secretary Margaret said: "People want to live in communities that are not blighted and we should not have to tolerate the anti-social behaviour that leads to abandoned, burnt-out cars".