A landlord prohibited from having music and speech heard past the boundary of a country road has backed out of an appeal.

Ian Reynolds was served with noise abatement notice by Three Rivers District Council after complaints from residents during a family party at the Cart and Horses public house in Quickmoor Lane, Commonwood, Kings Langley.

The 49-year-old was served with the notice by council officials during a celebration in a marquee in the pub's garden on Saturday, July 25, for which the pub had been given a temporary event notice by the same local authority.

Mr Reynolds who has run the pub for 19 years, was due to contest the enforcement notice at Watford Magistrates Court today, but withdrew the application at the last minute.

He said: “We were appealing that the notice was unfair as it is not possible to stop noise being heard past the Quickmoor Lane boundary.

“We felt it was unreasonable and that was our grounds for appeal.

“But we feel the harmony is coming back in the village and I didn't want to create any more animosity with certain neighours in the village.

“We are trying to work with the council to come to a satisfactory agreement.”

Mr Reynolds runs the pub with wife Ann and son Curtis, 14, helps out.

Mr Reynolds said: “With the number of pubs closing each week all we are trying to do is make a living.

“We have the support of lots of villagers and the British Legion, as since they closed the hall in Sarratt there are not many places around here people can hold events.

“We are just a family business and all the parties are things like joint 65th and 40th birthdays, nothing rowdy.

“The marquee has been there since 1996 and there have never been any complaints until this year.”

He added: “We are holding a carol service in the marquee in December and it will be interesting if they serve a breach on us.”

The appeal was listed for a full day hearing and Mr Reynolds must pay the council's costs.

Councillor Phil Brading, Cabinet Members for Public Services and Health, said: "People are entitled to enjoy their homes and gardens without the intrusion of noise."