A COUPLE have been ordered to dispose of more than 250 tropical birds that have shattered the peace of a New Forest village.

A High Court judge has given Anthony Ward, 50, and Sarah Moore, 38, five weeks to sell the macaws, kookaburras and parakeets kept in aviaries at their home in Highfield Close, Sway.

Mr Justice Laddie said the couple had taken "scant" notice of a noise abatement order served by New Forest District Council.

The council's barrister, Gary Lucie, said the notice was issued in April last year and required Mr Ward and Miss Moore to remove the aviaries.

He added: "What they're doing is playing the system. They're dragging things out as long as they can, and that is what they have been doing for years."

The couple were taken to court after failing to silence the screeching and squawking made by the birds.

After the hearing the judge gave the couple until the end of next month to stop using their land to keep birds. They were also made the subject of an injunction ordering them to quell the noise, although that order will not come into force until July 6.

Mr Ward, pictured, said the court should give him six months' grace before implementing the injunction, but the judge added: "This is really no more than an attempt to put off the evil day for as long as possible."

After the case neighbours spoke of their relief at the outcome. Edward Spreadbury, 67, who lives opposite, said the noise started at 4.30am and continued throughout the day, sometimes becoming unbearable.

"You can't hear yourself at all. You just have to go back into the house," added Mr Spreadbury.

His wife Cherry said some residents had been unable to sell their homes because of the sound.

Yesterday's proceedings were almost a year to the day after Mr Ward and Miss Moore appeared at New Forest Magistrates' Court and admitted that the squawking of their birds breached a noise abatement order.

On that occasion Mr Ward was fined £150 and Miss Moore was fined £100. They were each ordered to pay £50 costs.