BAGPIPE music is being played through the night at Bournemouth's Travel Interchange to stop homeless people sleeping there.

Council bosses and police have been working together to tackle antisocial behaviour and the growing numbers of rough sleepers at the interchange.

And according to local traders, the bagpipe music played through the coach station's tannoy system from midnight to 6.30am, is having the desired effect.

Earlier this year the Echo reported how commuters felt intimidated by the growing numbers of rough sleepers congregating at the travel interchange.

Passengers said up to a dozen homeless people were regularly sleeping by the public toilets, and despite police moving them on they often returned to drink and cause anti-social behaviour throughout the day.

Nearby businesses reported drunken abuse hurled at women passing by and threats of violence towards staff.

However, since the council and Dorset Police's latest steps to tackle the issue, the problem seems to be subsiding, traders say.

One coach station worker, who asked not to be named, said: "Basically, the council has been playing bagpipe music through the night and it seems to be doing the job. They just cannot stand it, you try getting any sleep with that going on.

"We've had hardly any problems with people sleeping next to the toilets since the council started playing it."

A Bournemouth Borough Council spokesman said reducing anti-social behaviour in the borough is of the authority's key priorities.

"The council and the police have been undertaking coordinated action around the travel interchange site to help address the street anti-social behaviour issues," added the spokesman.

"This has included regular police patrols, proactive input from our rough sleeper team and we have been trialling the playing of music in the evenings and night time to deter rough sleeping.

"All of these activities appear to be helping but we will continue to monitor the situation and will target further resources as needed."

Meanwhile, Mayor of Bournemouth John Adams - himself a keen bagpipe player who played during Remembrance Sunday's service - told the Echo: "The pipes have to be very carefully administered. You cannot play them for too long, it is somewhat of an acquired taste.

"Lets just say, you have to be careful that your audience appreciates them."