A BUSKER has become embroiled in a dispute with St Helens Council after officers received complaints he was playing music too loud.

Christopher Schofield, 25, says he was singing in the town centre when he was given a noise abatement order by council officials after using an amplifier.

Christopher, from Sutton Leach, who could be fined up to £5,000 fine if he breaches the order, says he was never told that he was not allowed to perform with an amplifier.

Christopher said: "Amplified performances are lawful, one needs only to look at the high streets of Liverpool and Manchester to see them in use.

"Considerate use of these devices helps to promote a vibrant street culture, allowing musicians to be heard above ambient street noise.

"In regard to consideration, my amplifier is used on the lowest output setting and for a limited duration.

"For a town that has held a music festival it is a disgusting way to treat musicians."

Christopher says that, before performing he makes himself aware to local businesses and moves locations every two hours.

He added: "A noise abatement order is to be served where there is a statutory noise nuisance which is prolonged and sustained, I do not fall into these categories."

A St Helens Council spokesman responded: "The council goes to some lengths to accommodate buskers and street entertainers in designated locations - and operates a voluntary permit system to remind performers of their responsibilities to other town centre users.

"However we have to balance the rights of performers with those of permanent town centre traders, who also pay business rates, and their respective customer relations.

"Mr Schofield chose not to involve himself with the permit system but was still allowed to perform – as long as no electronic amplification was used.

"He chose to ignore this request and use an amplifier at a level which officers, after receiving complaints from a nearby shop, judged to constitute a noise nuisance.

"As required by legislation, the officers subsequently served Mr Schofield with a noise nuisance abatement notice."