SOUND experts from rock star Peter Gabriel's Box studios have been brought in to find ways to reduce noise at the Selwyn Hall.

The community hall was threatened with closure after complaints about noise levels from neighbours living alongside in Valens Terrace.

Now acoustic engineers from Gabriel's Real World Studios are working with the hall's management committee to look at ways of tackling the noise problems.

The committee has been given until August 1 to deal with the problem, or noise abatement notices will be issued by North Wiltshire District Council, which could force the hall to close.

Neighbours complained amplified noise from the hall was so loud they could sing along, and join in with bingo sessions.

Parish councillors have now stepped in and pledged £2,500 to help pay for soundproofing. The council will lend the committee a further £2,500 so the work can go ahead.

The work could cost tens of thousands of pounds, and bids will be made to the National Lottery and government for grants.

The committee has been forced to cancel a number of bookings including discos and music concerts, because of fears they would exceed noise levels.

Committee spokesman Valerie Richardson said: "We will have to replace the doors and windows, and are looking at putting soundproofing on the walls.

"We are moving ahead and just hope it will mean we won't be served with the abatement notice."

She said villagers were concerned about the closure threat.

She said: "Feelings are running very high in Box about this, and people are very worried that the hall will be forced to close."

The committee is still paying off a £15,000 loan taken to help pay for a recent £157,000 extension.

Mrs Richardson said it was the private bookings that brought in vital money, and the hall could not survive without them.

She said: "We would prefer not to have to take on any more debt but we don't really have a choice.

"We need the private bookings and we can't have them unless the work is done to reduce noise."

Sean Plant is one of the neighbours affected by the noise.

He welcomed the action being taken to bring the hall within the allowed noise limits.

He said: "We don't mind a distant beat but we have had to put up with noise at such a level where we can sing along. We had to complain because it was getting too much."