ICE CREAM vans will only be allowed to chime for four seconds following a new rule adopted by the council.

The code of practice on noise from ice cream van chimes forms part of new guidelines approved by the council in a bid to regulate street trading across the borough.

Members of the authority voted in favour of the restrictions during a meeting of the full council earlier this month.

As well as the ‘four-second rule’ the code of practice on noise prohibits ice cream vans from chiming more often than once every three minutes.

They are also not allowed to sound when they are stationary, if there is another trading vehicle nearby and only between noon and 7pm.

They also cannot chime within 50 metres of schools, hospitals and places of worship and the sound cannot be louder than 80dB within seven and a half metres.

But the "nonsensical" restrictions have struck a chord with Councillor Alan Neal.

He said: "How are they going to enforce this? What are the council going to do – follow the ice cream vans around?

"Only the council can introduce a policy that is non-enforceable."

He added: "All of the problems that we have in Rossendale and they introduce something which is not going to affect people. It is not like you have ice cream vans driving around at 10pm at night.

"We even have pubs that are belting music out until 11pm with their windows wide open that the council do not enforce.

"It is nonsensical."

Licensing manager Tracy Brzozowski from Rossendale Council said: "The code of practice on noise from ice cream van chimes sets out common sense measures to stop them becoming a serious nuisance in residential areas.

"Many other local authorities have already adopted this code and we believe that it will help to ensure that the council has adequate powers to deal with any issues that may arise in the future."