Pubs and clubs which create a nuisance during the night could be fined up to £5,000 if they fail to keep the noise down.

With new licensing laws allowing many pubs to open past the traditional 11pm closing time, the Government is set to extend existing legislation to punish those responsible for causing sleepless nights for neighbours.

There have been several complaints about noise from late-night venues - particularly in Brighton city centre.

Pubs and clubs have until October to clean up and quieten down their act before the new powers, which are part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, come into effect.

The existing Noise Act 1996 can only be used to deal with night time noise from residential buildings such as houses and flats.

From October it will be an offence for licensed premises to create excessive noise between 11pm and 7am.

Inconsiderate noise makers could face prosecution for a single incident. At the moment they have to cause a disturbance over a number of nights before being made to answer for their behaviour. Offenders will be liable to on-the-spot fines of up to £500, or a maximum fine of £5,000 if convicted through the courts.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a consultation on how much noise venues should be permitted to create and what constitutes a disturbance.

David Lepper, Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion, denied noisy pubs and clubs were a "major issue" for his constituents but said it was a problem from time to time. He said: "I welcome the fact there will be an additional power for local authorities."