JAZZING up a Swindon eaterie has caused its owner problems which could lead to the sound of silence.

The Old Bank Brasserie in Wood Street has been home to a weekly jazz night since Manni Madhani took over earlier this year.

But now the council could pull the plug on the venue's live jazz because of noise.

Council noise watchdogs have chalked up six complaints in five months about the venue's volume.

Now they have asked the council's licensing panel to ban live music on the its ground floor.

"The scenario here is not of premises which are badly run in general or where there are problems with disorder," says the report for councillors.

"The allegation is simply that the front doors have been found to be propped open on numerous occasions when music was being played inside, throwing the interior of the venue open to the street."

Mr Madhani said: "The council say they have no evidence that they can disclose to me about the volume from the Bank. They told me the evidence of their officers' ears was good enough for them.

"I'm happy to co-operate but if the officers come to me in summer and say close your doors but everyone else can have theirs open, that isn't fair.

"I am prepared to close my doors when we have music on as long as it's a restriction that's in line with everyone else. Of course I can't say we would never open the doors when there's music on - it might be stuffy or it might be smoky because of the kitchen - but we could manage it."

As well as a petition of support signed by about 60 customers and a supportive letter from a resident, the venue's licensing fight has won the support of the Old Town Business and Professional Association.

Chairman Richard Deacon wrote to the committee saying: "We do not wish to see businesses that are trying their best to be upmarket and not in the business of selling cheap alcohol be driven away from the area.

"The association has not received any complaints about any breach of the existing licence, and, for this reason, we are somewhat perplexed how this situation has arisen."

The licensing panel will decide if the venue's licence should be altered at a meeting at 5.30pm on Tuesday.