A BID to get permanent permission for a sports activity centre in the Dorset countryside has been withdrawn - for the time being at least.

Landowners Kevin and Amanda Crocker had applied for permission for the centre, which offers a range of activities including clay pigeon shooting, buggy racing and quad biking on land at Shake Holes near Tolpuddle.

The couple applied for permission for the centre, which has been operating for more than 12 months by specialists Max Events, because the land has been used for more than the permitted 28 days a year.

People living nearby bombarded West Dorset District Council with objections saying the noise on Saturdays, when the activities are operated, is constant.

Residents from across the area including at Tincleton, Clyffe, Affpuddle, Tolpuddle, Southover and Affpuddle said that the noise from the clay pigeon shooting was blighting their lives.

One resident described it as 'Chinese water torture' and another said it was like living in a war zone.

But now the application has been withdrawn while extra surveys could be carried out.

A-J Munro of Symonds and Sampson, agents for Mr and Mrs Crocker, said that the application had been withdrawn so more sound surveys could be carried out in response to concerns raised by residents.

"In the light of this and in order to get a positive decision we have withdrawn the application," he said.

"We are having a new sound survey done and the operator is also now using quieter sub-sonic cartridges. We are also going to build a bund around the site.

"Once that is done we will carry out further tests at various locations across the area. It will be a much fuller survey and hopefully it will offer better evidence for the council to base its decision on."