The couple, from La Spezia, launched the case in 2003 shortly after their neighbours installed a new bathroom adjacent to the couple’s bedroom.

The water tank from the new toilet was built into a wall just 22cm thick and located close to the head of the couple’s bed.

The matter went all the way to Italy’s Supreme Court, which this week found that the sound of flushing was three decibels over the legal limit, The Times reports.

The top court upheld the lower court’s ruling that the water tank must be moved and the couple paid €500 in compensation for every year since it was installed in 2003.