Controls on buskers being too loud have been raised as well as complaints around 'chuggers' and preachers in Reading's town centre.

Buskers have been a feature of the town for years, entertaining crowds daily often in Reading's Broad Street.

However, in order to limit the possible disruption buskers can cause to some members of the public and businesses, Reading Borough Council is considering issuing a guide for performers to adhere to, which was discussed at a recent council meeting on July 11.

Reading Borough Council lead councillor for community safety Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) said: "Our town centre belongs to everyone.

"We want going to the town centre to be a positive experience for everyone.

"Busking keeps a town vibrant, it's part of who we are. We want it on and on, because it's part of the fabric of the town."

Nevertheless, cllr Rowland acknowledged that there is a healthy way of establishing busking in the town centre by having a busking and street performance guide.

The guide states performers should avoid repeating songs, and the procedure for making a complaint if a performer is being disruptive.

Cllr Rowland said: "This is a measure of good conduct, it's common sense 101."

The discussion also expanded to other public interactions in the town centre, namely charity money collectors, colloquially called 'chuggers' and preachers.

Cllr David Stevens (Labour, Abbey) said: "When speaking with residents, they say what frustrates more are the chuggers, are they part of this?"

Alexa Volker, Reading Business Improvement Districts (BID) added that BID staff had received more complaints about evangelical preachers.

She said: "We don't want to stop busking or religious groups, we want mutual respect.

"There is a big evangelical group who come in. I spoke with their head and explained the issue we had. I haven't had complaints since then. I'm hoping it's been heard."

Defending evangelicals, cllr Ama Asare (Labour, Thames) said: "There are some denominations where evangelism is part of their religion."

Cllr Paul Woodward (Labour, Church) added: "I wouldn't want evangelicals to stop being exuberant and having fun", but clarified that there must be mutual respect.

He also expressed amusement at a prior suggestion for buskers to audition.

Worshippers from The New Testament Church of God in Caversham are one of the Christian groups that have been spotted in Broad Street.

Other religious groups that have a public presence in Broad Street are Jehovah's Witnesses and the Hare Krishnas, who will be holding the Rathayatra from 12pm-5pm on Saturday, July 27, which involves a procession and a festival in Forbury Gardens.

Matthew Golledge, a council public protection manager interjected that the busker and street performance guide was focused on music and street performances. However, he did say principles within the guide can apply to preachers who use amplifiers.

The draft guide asks performers to avoid using amplifiers, loudspeakers, megaphones, or any similar equipment.

Mr Golledge also argued that if performers comply with the guide it will lead to a reduction in complaints.

The councillors on the licensing applications committee unanimously agreed to put the draft guide out to a statutory consultation at the meeting on July 11.