Those who ventured nearer witnessed scenes some compared to a science fiction film, with diggers and drills dancing in spotlights.

The disturbance was caused by the Highways Agency’s demolition of the Budbrooke Accommodation Bridge over the A46 to make way for a bypass for the notorious Longbridge roundabout.

The work had been timed to cause the least disruption to traffic, but many living in nearby Chase Meadow were hardly able to shut their eyes.

Lynnon Field resident Colin Battersby knew of the work but did not expect the demolition to continue through the night.

He said: “It was a constant noise and we didn't have any warning that this would be continuing on through most of the night.

“It was quite a warm night and we usually sleep with the bedroom windows on the latch to allow the cooler air in. We couldn't do that because the noise just kept the house awake.

“I dread to think what the noise was like for residents living any closer."

Mr Battersby said he was in favour of the bypass, but felt there should be warning for residents in future if noisy work was going to be carried out at night.

Another Chase Meadow resident Marcus Webber ventured close to the source of the noise at around midnight.

The 34-year-old, whose hobby is photography, took this picture of a scene one resident compared to the War of the Worlds.

Mr Webber said: “There was a mound of soil and behind that you could see the digger arms moving around with spotlights. There was dust from the concrete being broken up and with everything else being pitch black it was quite a surreal sight.”

Mr Webber knew of the roadworks but was not prepared for the noise. He added: “It was bearable for us but for people living adjacent to the site it must have been quite an interesting evening.”

The Highways Agency said every effort had been made to alert local people to the demolition work.