THE OWNER of a controversial motocross circuit near Winchester is taking steps to reduce noise pollution after complaints by villagers.

Residents living in South Wonston and Littleton say the track on former farmland at Three Maids Hill is disrupting their lives.

But the promoter Tony Child said new bunds would soon muffle the noise and so reduce the problem at the circuit, which opened in December.

Villagers have already reported to the city council that the operators had already breached the planning conditions, imposed by the authority when it granted permission in May 2004.

Between March 1 and October 31 organisers are only supposed to operate one Saturday and one Sunday a month and never on the same weekend.

However, the track had been opened on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1.

Mr Child, of Eastleigh-based Tonymoto Motorcyles, said: "We have had a slap on the wrist about that and it won't happen again."

The city council has received 28 complaints with 21 from South Wonston, six from Littleton and one from Worthy Down.

David Selby, chairman of South Wonston Parish Council, said: "It is arousing the ire of people who feel it is disturbing their peace."

Debbie Found, the council clerk, said: "The noise can sometimes be so bad it sounds like it is coming from the bottom of the road."

But Mr Child said the problem should soon be sorted. "We are building bunds in the direction of South Wonston which we feel will drop the noise.

"We have altered the track to slow it down so the bikes are not so noisy."