FED-UP residents have accused a church in Grays of making their lives “a living hell ” after it was served a legal notice fo r making too much noise.

The Celestial Church of Christ, in Bridge Road, was accused by neighbours of playing music on a public address system until 1am on week nights .

Thurrock Council said it wa s taking legal advice on the next steps after a noise enforcement notice was served – and breached.

Clarence Court resident Sharon Scarlett said: “It’s unbelievable the amount of noise the church makes.

“It is noise abuse. It’s not right. Enough is enough. The church has been there for years and years, and they didn’t used to do this .”

Another resident, of Saxon Close, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s not really reasonable the amount of noise they’re making – you don’t hear that from any other church.

“When it’s going full blast, I can hear every word the preacher is saying. They’re not really taking care of the residents at all.”

A spokesman for the council said: “Council officers are currently taking legal advice on how best to move this matter forward.

“The church has been written to again advising them that a breach of notice has been witnessed and that further legal action may follow.

“Officers continue to monitor the church and work with local residents.”

Speaking for the Celestial Church, minister Akinseye Iyun, 38, of Brunel Close, Tilbury said: “We are sorry about any disturbance we caused.

“It wasn’t intentional and we know children are going to school the next day and so on.

“We have now stopped our night programme, which wa s causing the problem.”

Services will now run from 7pm to 8pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, and to 9pm on one Thursday a month.