'AIN'T no sunshine when she's gone' boomed through neighbours walls as a music-mad mum decorated, Runcorn Magistrates heard.

Fed-up neighbours will probably not agree with soul star Bill Wither's lyrics, but they might breathe a sigh of relief after Julie Holland, 44, of Grizedale, Upton, Widnes, admitted to failing to keep the noise down.

Mrs Holland, who lives with two of her sons, was caught on tape last November breaking a noise abatement order served in July 2003.

Her solicitor, Ms Lawrenson, defending, said: "Mrs Holland maintains that that she did not personally see this notice."

After failing to respond to the order, Mrs Holland's noise was taped by environmental health officers after neighbours complained.

Among the lyrics clearly heard at all times of the day were 'From the morning, past the evening, til the end of the night' by chart-toppers Cornershop.

The lyrics to songs by the Lighthouse Family and Bob Marley were also clearly heard on tape.

Ms Lawrenson, said: "She is very sorry about the noise she has caused but tells me that she was decorating at the time.

"All the furniture was upstairs and her CD player was up against a wall, which she feels probably made the noise worse."

"She is almost in fear of making any noise now and doesn't like the boys making any noise at all."

Magistrates gave Mrs Holland a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered costs of £150.