More than 9,000 complaints about aircraft noise over Essex and Suffolk in the past year were made by just 14 callers, it has been claimed.

A public inquiry into plans to remove existing limits on passenger numbers at Stansted Airport starts next week, with noise caused by jet aircraft a key issue.

Figures from airport operator BAA shows it dealt with 13,956 noise complaints in the past year - but 9,100 were made by just 14 people, an average of more than 650 each.

The figure was revealed as Stansted launched a new website that allows residents to monitor the flight paths of aircraft.

The new noise website stanstedairport.com/noise - is part of a £1.8 million investment by BAA to upgrade its noise and track keeping systems.

The site includes several new features, including the ability to make a noise inquiry or complaint online for the first time, and users will be provided with information about aircraft noise in their communities.

Vicki Hughes, Stansted's noise communications manager, said: "In coming weeks, we will further enhance the WebTrak service and extend the area covered by the system to include more towns and villages to the east of Stansted."