CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop a mobile phone mast being erected near three North Yorkshire schools face a race against time

Harrogate-based Campaign Against Masts Put Up near Schools (Campus) has been told £20,000 will be needed to hire a barrister and solicitor to represent the group at a High Court hearing in London.

News of the bill emerged following a meeting of parents and residents.

The mast plan has already been rejected by Harrogate Borough Council for a site close to St Robert's RC Primary, Granby High and Woodfield Primary schools.

The council is now fighting in the appeal court to back its decision.

Peter Brooks, of Campus, whose daughters attend St Robert's, said the group would be making a decision shortly about whether to try to raise the money.

Parents are fearful of the impact the mast could have on pupils at the schools, particularly St Robert's, which is closest to the site.

The mast application was submitted by T-Mobile, Orange and Hutchinson 3G for a site on the top of Harrogate Borough Council's Claro Road depot.

The appeal is being seen as a test case for 12,000 others throughout the UK.

"People across the country are awaiting the outcome of the Harrogate mast," said a Campus spokesman.

Legal expert Chris Maile, from Planning Sanity, and Dr Gerard Hyland, an expert on mobile telecommunication masts and formerly of Warwick University, addressed the public meeting.

Officials of mobile phone companies were invited to attend the meeting to explain their position, but declined, said Mr Brooks.