RED-faced planning bosses have apologised for failing to stop a noisy business plaguing the lives of an elderly New Forest couple.

John and Valerie Heath have been pleading with the district council for three years to tell Merlo UK to keep the noise down.

Heavy agriculture machines, clanging chains and booming metal buckets have contributed to the din that has destroyed their peace.

Now, following a ruling of maladministration by local government ombudsman Jerry White, the council has been forced to say: "We got it wrong."

Mr White ruled that the authority failed to properly investigate complaints about the firm, based at Headlands Business Park, Ringwood, as previously reported in the Daily Echo.

He recommended the council to pay Mr Heath, 71, and his wife £1,750 in compensation and review the way it deals with complaints.

The issue was raised at a planning meeting.

Chris Elliott, head of development control, said: "The council acknowledges it made mistakes in the investigation of this case and, as a consequence of this, the neighbours have suffered inconvenience and disturbance which they should not have reasonably had to expect."

Mrs Heath, 69, said: "We are very pleased that the council has at last agreed that Merlo's operations fall outside the terms of Class B1 business use.

"It is a pity it has taken three years to come to this conclusion, during which time we have suffered anxiety, stress and considerable expense."

She said suggestions listed in a council report of how Merlo could operate more quietly would not work.

Representing Merlo, architect Richard Sheerin said his clients were keen to resolve the matter.

Councillors agreed that the authority should follow the recommendations of the ombudsman.