RESIDENTS are fighting a mobile phone firm's renewed plan to site a mast near their homes.

People at Carrville, Durham, have formed an action group to oppose O2's application to Durham City Council to erect a 15-metre-high base station at the junction of Kirkstone Drive and Carrville High Street.

The application follows one for a mast a short distance away in Kirkstone Drive, which was withdrawn before the council could consider it.

Group spokesman Robin Coates, of Kirkstone Drive, said residents were concerned that the mast could be a health risk and they feared a fall in property prices.

The group is sending letters of objection to 1,200 homes, which it hopes residents will sign before a December 16 deadline for comments.

Mr Coates said Belmont Parish Council also opposing the application and that campaigners hoped for support from MP Gerry Steinberg.

"It is a very emotive issue. We are concerned because there have been horrendous stories of properties losing 25 per cent of their value when a mast goes up," he said.

"We hope it will be knocked back, but I think the firm would try again to put in another application.''

The Government says health concerns are not to be considered because independent research found no evidence of a health risk.

02 says the mast is needed to improve coverage and the transmitter would be low-powered.