A DOG breeder who supplies animals to the police and prison services faces a huge legal bill after her battle with the Isle of Wight Council over noise nuisance ended in defeat.

Mary Argyle of Goshens Farm, near Newport, was ordered by a crown court judge to pay the council's costs of nearly £14,000 plus her own legal fees estimated at £40,000.

Mrs Argyle had gone to Bournemouth Crown Court to appeal against a noise abatement notice served by the council after neighbours complained of the noise caused by her dogs. A similar application to Island magistrates last year failed.

Mrs Argyle had argued the noise notice was not justified and that she had taken the best practicable steps to control the problem. But council witnesses told Bournemouth Crown Court that Mrs Argyle's dogs - 26 German shepherds and 11 labradors - were like a "frenzied pack of wolves". Neighbours said the noise from the animals made their lives a misery.

Environmental health officers told the hearing the barking was "constant, intrusive and unreasonable". Witnesses for Mrs Argyle, who has run the kennels since 1988, said the barking was not a nuisance.

After the hearing, council environmental health officer Warren Haynes said: "While recognising the impact of Mrs Argyle's dogs on her neighbours, I do feel some sympathy for her. She has incurred substantial costs in pursuing this further unnecessary appeal.

"I sincerely hope she will now work with us to resolve the nuisance and ensure that her neighbours can get some peace."