Organisers face having to refund 50,000 tickets for the gig

A resident living near the planned venue of a Bruce Springsteen concert said it would force locals to listen "to a rock concert in bed" if it gets the go ahead.

Jack Buxton, who lives yards from Lancashire Country Cricket ground, spoke at a court hearing on Thursday in appeal against a council's refusal to allow a concert by the rock star.

Lancashire County Cricket Ground, SJM Concerts and Rocksteady Security, are fighting the decision by Trafford Borough Council to reject the licensing application for the event.

Springsteen, known as the Boss, was scheduled to perform the open air concert at the cricket ground on 29 May.

Organisers face having to refund more than 50,000 tickets after the license was rejected.

It's a cacophony of noise. We can't watch television or do anything Jack Buxton

It follows complaints from residents about noise and crowd problems at previous events.

But the venue says the income from concerts is vital to fund a �25m upgrade of the 146-year-old ground.

Acoustician James Griffiths told the court: "It's about striking a balance."

"I understand that people will be disturbed, it's important to look at how many people are disturbed."

"This is not an isolated case.

"If you say that you can't have concerts with this level of noise, then this would probably mean a large number of concerts in this country would not go ahead."

Previous problems

Residents are concerned after anti-social behaviour from fans and noise levels at previous concerts by Oasis and Robbie Williams.

Mr Buxton, a retired administrator, who lives 700 yards from the cricket ground, said he is unable to sleep when the concerts are on.

"It's like listening to a rock concert in bed," he said.

"It's a cacophony of noise. We can't watch television or do anything."