But soon workers at the bustling sand quarries around the town could be expected to tone it down even more.

For they claim the Government is planning to announce new regulations that will mean working in virtual silence.

"They are absolutely crazy," said David Stringer of Sibelco which runs quarries in Chelford and Goostrey.

"They are asking us to be as quiet as a library and we can not do it."

The Quarry Products Association claims thousands of jobs will be lost if the new rules are introduced.

"I think the industry is hoping the civil servants have got their maths wrong," said Mr Stringer.

Strict rules already restrict the noise that escapes from the Chelford quarry - one of the biggest sand pits in the country.

Mr Stringer said neighbours heard little more than the average disturbance from an office despite one million tons of sand being dug out every year.

More than 200 people are employed locally in the industry, but Mr Stringer said it would be difficult to take on new staff if the industry was threatened.

"It won't affect jobs in the short-term, but when the working conditions are reviewed there could be a threat," he said.

Last week a Government spokesman confirmed that the mineral planning guide was being reviewed, but said it had not made any decisions.

"We may even relax the guidelines, but nothing has been decided and the Government has no position on this," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.