VILLAGERS are to get extra time to voice their views on a phone mast scheme after they complained about lack of consultation.

People in Hurworth, near Darlington, have until the end of June to respond to plans for a 25-metre telecommunications mast at Middlesbrough Football Club's Rockcliffe Park training complex, in Hurworth Place.

Darlington Borough Council has extended the consultation period after people in Railway Terrace and Bank Terrace complained they did not receive letters about the Vodafone application.

A resident of Railway Terrace, who asked not to be named, said: "Lots of people in the village who the planners have said they have written to have not received their letter.

"There have been a lot of rumours because nobody knew any information. It is an emotional subject anyway, but to feel as though you are not being asked your opinion is terrible.

"There was not quite hysteria, but something close to it, when people thought they would not be able to comment."

Ward councillor Roderick Burtt said: "I know that there is consternation, certainly. It is a very tall mast and I don't think anybody is convinced that there isn't some sort of radiation from these masts."

A council spokesman said: "We carried out the normal round of consultation with letters to all of the properties that are most affected by the proposal.

"A couple of people contacted us to say they had not had letters. We sent out a second round of letters and extended the consultation."

The authority has also posted six extra site notices near the training complex and sent letters to people in Croft.

Sixteen letters of objection and a petition signed by 30 people have been sent to the authority. The planning committee will consider the proposal in July.

Vodafone says the site is the best option in the area and that the mast will not be harmful to residents.

If approved, the mast would follow the installation of floodlights as the latest development at the Premiership club's training complex.