South Ruislip residents are up in arms over a four day Sikh festival which they claim will cause terrible traffic and noise problems.

This latest protest against festivals being held at the Northolt community centre is part of an ongoing campaign by the South Ruislip Residents Association to force the venue to apply to Ealing Council for a change of use.

The Asian centre was granted an occasional music and dance licence by Ealing Council in March, but this was vigorously opposed by neigbouring Harvey Road residents, who had been complaining about noise and hundreds of cars clogging up the grass pitches since cultural festivals started there in 1997. Don Ticehurst, chairman of the residents association, said he was attempting to persuade the council to force the centre, which, he claims, only held three sporting events last year, to apply for a change of use. He is confident the council will not agree to any change.

'The club was granted that ground on green belt land to use as a sports club, not for major national events, and it's been allowed to get into a terrible state.

'Festivals of this type, which create noise, disturbance and traffic congestion, should be held in a proper conference centre, not just stuck in a field.'

But Dhanji Bhudia, general secretary of the centre, claims sports events are held irregularly because residents had complained they were too noisy.

'We are not there to cause any problems, we are friends with everybody and we have been willing to let go of income to please our neighbours.' he said. 'It's a matter of being tolerant of each other.'

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the festival, the theme of which is community spirit and religious tolerance, and performances of religious singing and Gatka, a Sikh martial art, will be held daily.

The festival runs from Thursday, July 13 to Sunday, July 16, at the SKLP sports and community centre in West End Road.