Newark and Sherwood District Council had slapped a noise abatement order on the owners of Cotton Mill Farm after tests showed the peafowl had been causing a nuisance with their crowing during mating season.

• Noisy peacocks ruffle Farnsfield feathers

Complaints about noise were made by neighbours and council chiefs told the farm owner to get rid of her peacocks or lock them up at night.

But a group of residents who feared losing what they see as an important feature of the village set up a petition to save the birds and the council confirmed this week action will not be taken this year.

Clare Caldicott –– who helped organise an online petition to save the birds –– said: "At last! We have a resolution to the problem of people complaining about the lovely peacocks at Cotton Mill Farm.

"Newark and Sherwood District Council have agreed to leave the birds alone this year and let them stay free.

"The compromise is that the male birds will have to be caponised early next spring to stop them getting the mating urges and making all the noise."

The solution will involve giving the male birds an injection to temporarily stop them from wanting to mate and there should be no further complaints this year as the six-week mating season has now ended.