Getting to grips with nuisance neighbours means we can create better neighbourhoods for everyone

Wendy Alexander, communities minister

"Only in this way can we ensure that everyone has a safe, secure home, free from the nuisance of anti-social neighbours."

The champion will be based at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and will report back to Cosla and the Scottish Executive.

Funding will also be made available to promote good practice across the country.

This will include mediation between neighbours to work out the problem; professional witnesses who can give evidence during a dispute and help secure convictions; and support for young people living on their own for the first time.

Landlords will also be encouraged to keep records of anti-social behaviour so quicker results can be achieved through the court system, and housing staff will be trained on the range of remedies available.

Drug abuse

Excessive noise is the most common neighbour complaint, although misery can also be caused by threatening and abusive behaviour, assault, vandalism and drunkenness.

Problems are often linked to drug and alcohol abuse, and the Citizens Advice Bureau - which handles numerous complaints - said anti-social behaviour frequently drove people to the end of their tether.

Victim Helen, who suffered verbal abuse from children for eighteen months, has welcomed the proposals.

Wendy Alexander: "Better neighbourhoods"

"Things got so bad that I ended up having to go to the doctor because I was so depressed. I had to go on medication," she recalled.

However, she decided to go to mediation in an attempt to resolve the problem.

"It was very difficult meeting my neighbour face-to-face, but we finally got things sorted out."

Ms Alexander said there were many local projects which had found effective ways of dealing with anti-social behaviour - and she wanted these to be replicated across the country.

"Everyone has the right to live in a trouble-free environment," she said.

"Getting to grips with nuisance neighbours means we can create better neighbourhoods for everyone."