MOBILE telecom giant O2 UK wants to put up a 12.5m phone mast at the junction of Leigh Avenue and Lowerhouse Lane, Widnes, despite a wave of protests in the area.

Residents are seething because the latest mast site would be just yards from a previously proposed site which has already been rejected by the council.

Deni Newman, co-ordinator of Halton Friends of the Earth, said: 'In communications with the company it has been revealed that they will continue their attempts to install three masts between the bottom of Lowerhouse Lane and the cemetery. This is in total disregard for the feelings, welfare and objections of local residents.

'The industry claims it has a clear mandate from Government because of the £23billion spent on licences for 3G technology.

'The industry has created the demand which is not being fulfilled, yet still it insists on installing masts even in the face of nationwide public opposition.'

Mrs Newman is urging the area's residents to write to Derek Twigg MP, ward councillors, or to the planning department directly and to include their name and address and to quote the plan's application number.

The campaigners are objecting to the proposal on the grounds of its proximity to a nursery and high school, which flies in the face of the 'precautionary principle', and that the mast would present a possible threat to people's health.

A stock objection letter - which is being distributed to residents to be sent on to the planning department - points out this is the second time in three months that O2 has applied for a mast in that area.

The letter states: 'I am concerned that the exposure to the emissions is 24/7 and residents have no choice in the matter.

'I consider that there is ample coverage in this area for ordinary mobile telephony requirements which cannot be improved without prejudicing the health of the local population.

'I am concerned about the impact it will have on house prices in this area.'

A leading UK anti-mobile phone mast campaign group, with extensive backing from residents in Halton, has praised Halton Borough Council for doing its best to resist mast proposals over recent months.

Mast Sanity committee member Sandi Lawrence, of Bognor Regis, wrote to the Weekly News and said: 'As a committee member of Mast Sanity, I must applaud the approach taken by Halton Borough Council.

'If all councils acted in this way, there would not be so many problem areas across the UK on phone mast issues, and I would not need to work voluntarily to advise and support all who need our help.'