VILLAGERS and parish councillors have joined forces to condemn plans for a 25-metre telecommunications mast.

Vodafone has submitted plans to Darlington Borough Council for the development at Middlesbrough Football Club's Rockcliffe Park training complex, in Hurworth Place.

But protestors are furious at what they believe will be a blot on the landscape.

The issue was debated at this week's meeting of Hurworth Parish Council.

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

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

Councillor Alan Gibson said: "It's becoming like a dockyard site there, with all sorts of things sticking up in the air."

Councillor Peter Foster said: "We shouldn't back this because there are alternatives."

Villagers also addressed the meeting. A petition of more than 30 names has been raised and people are writing individually to the council.

They said the mast would be 200 metres from the nearest home, and the proposed site was where pet owners walked their dogs.

Objectors are angry that the mast would be largely for the benefit of train passengers on the East Coast Main Line and of no value to the village.

The parish council agreed to make its views known to Darlington Borough Council.