Sean Connery and his family are being sued for 16 million pounds by their Manhattan neighbours who claim they were long subjected to deafening noise and an infestation of rats among other things.

According to New York ophthalmologist Burton Sultan and his wife, the Connerys carried out a "campaign of deceit, harassment, destruction and litigation" aimed at forcing the Sultans to sell their portion of the six-floor Manhattan house at a knockdown price, The Telegraph reported.

They accused the Scottish actor - best known for this James Bond films - and his family of allowing builders to subject them to constant and deafening noise, noxious fumes, water pouring through ceilings and even an infestation of rats.

"Connery's appearance and behaviour was that of a rude, foul-mouthed, fat old man," the complainants said.

A spokesman for Connery said: "Sir Sean does not own any property in the US and is rarely in New York. The claims are ridiculous."

Although Connery and his wife Micheline reportedly live principally in the Bahamas, the lawsuit filed at New York state Supreme Court claims that they have been living at the two-storey flat in Manhattan's expensive Upper East Side since April, 2001.