Two of Britain’s most promising young classical violinists have been told that their precious instruments could be seized by antisocial behaviour officers if they carry on playing Mozart or practising their scales at home.

Oliver Morris and Hazel Ross, both 25, graduates of the Royal Northern College of Music, are rapidly making a name for themselves as freelance violinists for the BBC Philarmonic Orchestra and other major orchestras.

The couple insist that they rarely practise at home for more than two hours, and not every day, or in the evenings, but they have fallen foul of an irate upstairs neighbour who has complained to Manchester City Council.

They have now received a formal warning from the council that their behaviour is unacceptable and must stop. Further breaches will lead to a noise abatement order and forcible entry to their flat to seize their violins.

The musicians are bewildered by the sudden turn of events which, they say, threatens to jeopardise their careers. They are being forced to “sit quietly in our flat and make no noise”.

Mr Morris said: “We do understand if somebody is trying to be quiet and they can hear music coming from somewhere. Of course, we realise that could be annoying. Everyone has a right to live their lives as they wish but we only ever practise after 9am, never after 7pm, not every day and very often we are away during the day.”

Both musicians are key players in the Strelitzia String Quartet. Earlier this month Mr Morris played behind Russell Watson, the popular tenor, at The Bridgewater Hall, in Manchester.

The couple were drawn to Woodlawn Court, a suburban 1930s development in Whalley Range, south Manchester, because it was home to other budding young musicians. It is not unknown for the strains of classical music to waft across the court. Shortly after they moved in 13 months ago, Mr Morris visited each neighbour to tell them that they might hear the sound of violins and that if they wished for peace and quiet to let them know.

It was all the invitation that one neighbour needed to bang on their front door and launch into what the couple describe as an aggressive rant. “Unfortunately, on two or three occasions, he has come down,” said Mr Morris. “He has not been able to hold a dialogue of any kind and he just will not compromise.”

The couple are also aggrieved that the council accused them of missing a meeting to discuss the issue. They said they never received an invitation.

Mr Morris said: “How can they say our behaviour is unacceptable when all the evidence they have is based entirely on somebody else’s assessment?”

The couple are now contemplating the prospect of moving from the close. Miss Ross said: “We like it here and are very happy here apart from this, but as musicians, we need somewhere we feel comfortable to practise. We are quiet people really, who like to keep ourselves to ourselves.”

Deborah McLaughlin, the council’s director of housing, admitted: “Rather than referring to a noise abatement notice, it would have been more sensible to have found a way to bring both sides together to sort this out.

“I will investigate this case to bring about an early resolution in a more satisfactory way and regret that a letter was issued indicating legal action at this early stage.”

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