RESIDENTS turned out in force to protest over the proposed installation of a mobile telephone mast on their doorsteps.

The row started when people living in a residential area of Peterlee were told that Hutchinson 3G was proposing to site a transmitter in the heart of their community.

The move has caused uproar in a town where the long-standing planning policy has been for all essential services to be kept underground.

Leading the campaign to stop the siting of the mast, Eddie Fox, of Lorrimers Close, said, that while there was not a wooden telegraph pole in the town, Hutchinson 3G proposed installing a 12.5-metre-high transmitter just feet from people's homes.

The application to Easington District Council is to site the mast on the grass verge in Pennine Drive.

Residents fear it will be an eyesore and a dangerous focal point to children.

Protestors have stepped up their campaign, which includes a petition which has already been signed by more than 700 residents.

"We are of the view that a far more appropriate site for the mast would be on industrial land on the other side of the A19,'' said Mr Fox.

He added: "If this application is agreed, there will be a flood of applications in the town.''

A spokesman at Hutchinson 3G said it was not possible to use a site further away, because third generation mobiles have weak signals.

He did, however, say his company would be happy to meet with local residents and council representatives to iron out any difficulties.

If you have a query, contact Hutchinson G3 on 0845 6043000.

The application will be presented to a meeting of the district council's development control committee next Tuesday.