A Brighton venue claims to be the first in the country to sign up to a new scheme designed to reduce noise pollution.

The Hanbury Arms hopes to reduce noise coming from the pub by joining the Soundsense project, set up by the Brighton-based Noise Abatement Society.

Based in St George's Road, Kemp Town, the venue, owned by Zelgrain Ltd, is in the middle of a residential area.

As part of Soundsense, backed by Hove MP Ivor Caplin, pub staff will tell patrons to be quiet upon entering and leaving.

Manager Rob Hall has also put up posters telling people to be aware of their neighbours.

The posters state: "There's a time for a pint and there's a time for sleep. Help your pub be a good neighbour by leaving the premises as quietly as possible."

It is hoped other pubs will follow the Arms' lead and sign up.

Mr Hall said: "We are the first to join this scheme as, being a venue, noise is a problem difficult to solve.

"When we started the pub, we tried to get it right and we didn't want to annoy our neighbours so we have always been vigilant of noise. But this is making the first official step to make people more responsible.

"We have all sorts going on, from comedy to theatre to live music.

"We make sure we can limit the sound and have engineers checking it. We don't have live music on after midnight.

"Our door staff move people away from the club as soon as they leave. When people are queuing, we ask them to be quiet or they won't be allowed in.

"No one can be perfect, we all make noise. But, if you think about others, it is a step in the right direction."

The pub is also helping the environment by generating electricity through wind power. The service is provided by Brighton firm Sea Level.

Peter Wakeham, director of the Noise Abatement Society, hopes other pubs will get involved in Soundsense.

He said: "It is a very exciting project, which has the backing of Brighton and Hove Council, the police and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

"We will be liaising with any pubs that join the scheme in helping to cut the noise in that area."