Neighbours falling out in the war of the wind chimes and the battle of the BBQ

But for most, the gentle tinkling of wind chimes achieves the opposite effect.

A survey has named them the most-hated garden accessory - more likely to irritate the neighbours than anything else.

The poll of homeowners, by insurers Cornhill Direct, found the garden is often a source of conflict.

Giant trampolines in the garden, hot tubs, solar lights and fairy lights can all be a source of friction between neighbours.

Barbecues also create conflict, leaving next door's washing smelling of smoke. More than a third of those polled had argued with neighbours over their gardens.

A fifth thought their neighbour had stolen ornaments or plants from them - and 10 per cent said the shabby garden next door let down the rest of the street.

On average, homeowners spent £180 a year keeping up with the neighbours. And 60 per cent admitted regularly spying over the garden fence.

Cornhill's Simon Coughlin said: "The garden can be quite a battleground between neighbours. It can be frustrating if you put in a lot of work in and your neighbours let things slip.

"As a household-insurer we are often asked for advice on how to resolve disputes between neighbours so we know how finely balanced these relationships can be."

In January, David and Sheila Bavington were told to remove a wind chime from their garden after neighbours complained.

Rugby Borough Council said the inch-wide chime was a "statutory nuisance". If the couple did not take it down, they could be made the subject of a noise abatement order. It said it had a duty to investigate.

Mr Bavington, 57, of Ryton-on-Dunsmore, War wickshire, insisted. however: "You couldn't even hear it if you went inside the house."