MYSTIFIED residents in Halesowen are being driven to distraction by a loud banging noise every 30 minutes for 12 hours a day.

As well as annoying human residents around Manor Way the constant loud bangs are disturbing pets and wildlife throughout the day.

David Taylor contacted the Halesowen News after being unable to find out what was making the din which the police were unable to shed light on.

He said: “Residents who live close to Manor Way are being plagued by mysterious ‘explosions’ from 8am until 9.30pm every day.

“The sounds, which sound like gun fire, occur every 20-30 minutes for over 12 hours every day, and no one seems to know what causes them.”

“In the hot weather, it means that residents in the Brier Mill Road, Chadbury Road and Cloister Drive area of Halesowen are unable to sit outside and enjoy the weather in peace and local pets and wildlife are also disturbed by the sounds.”

Carolyn Taylor added: “Enquires with Halesowen police have so far drawn a blank, and attempts by some local residents to track down this annoying sound has so far failed.”

Dudley Council’s environment team have been drafted in to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Councillor Tracy Wood, cabinet member for environment and culture, said: "We have recently received a complaint from a member of the public about a noise problem associated with rural land adjacent to Manor Way, Halesowen.

“We suspect that the noise may be due to the operation of a bird scarer.”

She added: "We are currently investigating the situation to confirm the source of the noise and to assess its impact on local residents, once this investigation is complete we will be in a position to assess the appropriate action to take in the matter.”