Once a peaceful day of rest, Sunday is increasingly disturbed by the noise of lawnmowers, hedge strimmers and boisterous barbecues. One sound, though, remains as much a part of the sabbath as a roast joint — the ringing of church bells.

Yet the traditional peal that is expected to ring out to herald the start of the world-famous music festival launched 60 years ago by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears in Aldeburgh this Sunday is at risk.

Instead of celebrating the anniversary of the event that has put the Suffolk coastal town on the map, a group of residents have complained about the church bells, saying that they disturb the Sunday peace. In a move that threatens the heritage of bellringing in 5,000 churches across the land, they claim that the noise in summer amounts to a statutory nuisance under environmental laws.

The Rev Nigel Hartley, the Vicar of St Peter and St Paul's Church, Aldeburgh, said: “Churches have always been at the centre of music-making, and none more so than Britten's home town of Aldeburgh, where he now lies buried.

"Our tower has stood here since the 14th century and its bells have been rung for at least 500 years — warning of possible invasion and shipwreck, celebrating marriage and at times of national rejoicing. They have called the faithful to worship and reminded the less faithful of their heritage.”

At least 20 residents are understood to have signed the petition but they are keeping a low profile.

A council spokesman confirmed that there had been a complaint, and said: “This is a matter which we hope can be resolved between the local Aldeburgh community, and we have been trying to help those discussions towards a successful resolution without it becoming a formal investigation.”

He added that a formal petition had yet to be received.

Mr Hartley said that one of the petitioners had bought a house next to the church, knowing that it had a fine ring of bells. “What would happen if someone bought a house close to Ipswich Town football stadium?” he asked. “Would they, on the same grounds of finding it a nuisance, be able to silence the crowds at every home game?”

This Sunday the service to herald the 60th Aldeburgh Festival is to be led by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, and recorded by the BBC.

The local composer Joseph Phibbs has requested that the bells be rung as the Bishop leads worshippers from the church to the beach, while they sing a Kyrie eleison as the opening of the world premiere of his new work.

“The idea is to tie together the worship of the church and the music, secular and sacred, which binds this Suffolk festival together and flows through this seaside town as the waters to the east occasionally threaten to do.”

He added that the peal was to ringers what a concert was to musicians and was the “pinnacle of their craft”.

The petition has gone to Suffolk Coastal District Council, which will decide whether the bells amount to a nuisance in law.

Mr Hartley added: “Does it seem reasonable that these ancient bells should be silenced after centuries by signatories to a small petition? Do the 300 who pack this church this Sunday not have rights too, or the 10,000 and more who live here in the summer and love the sound of bells as a reminder of a solid and unchanging part of the English landscape?”

He said that if he were ordered to stop the bells he would seriously consider mounting a challenge.

Quiet campaigns

— A council failed to silence bells in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, this year at a cost to taxpayers of £12,000. The council had issued a noise abatement order but villagers fought it and won in court

— Churchgoers were forced to find an extra £100,000 in April to silence complaints about the noise of their bells at All Saints Church, Writtle, in Essex. The money went on repairs and building a “sound lantern” to mute the noise

— Residents complained to their council about “excessive” late-night bellringing last year at St Peter's Church, in Witherley, Leicestershire. The bellringers agreed to practise earlier

Explore Law

• Columnists

• Law Panel

• Law Reports

• Student Law

Times Recommends

• BGC 'set aside £40m to lure Tullett brokers'
• Legal aid review to ensure value
• Fears as 21 magistrates' courts face closure