NOT until I came to live in a flat in the Saffron Walden High Street/Gold Street area in August 2006, had I given much thought to the late-night drinking laws. Most evenings here, especially at the weekend, I have to endure noisy behaviour including the s

NOT until I came to live in a flat in the Saffron Walden High Street/Gold Street area in August 2006, had I given much thought to the late-night drinking laws.

Most evenings here, especially at the weekend, I have to endure noisy behaviour including the shouting of foul language when young men and women leave the local public house between midnight and 1.30am.

I find it impossible to get to sleep, or am woken up when this happens.

My bedroom window is above where they assemble to apparently make as much noise as possible.

I have wanted on many occasions to interfere, but fearing reprisals of some kind I have refrained.

Security gates are at last being fitted to prevent intruders going into my flats' underground car park.

The majority of folk in Saffron Walden do not realise what is happening at night to this lovely market town, which has been reported in the Reader's Digest as one of the best places to live in the country.

Why has the Government allowed late licensing in built-up areas, lowering the quality of life for so many and wasting the NHS money and police time?

I am waiting to go into a retirement flat, as I am 77, and at the moment I am enduring all of this stress without medication, as I am determined the young, even if it is a minority group that are the culprits, will not win.

Name and address supplied