PARENTS and residents are being urged to continue their fight to stop a mobile phone mast being built near a Darlington school.

In November, Darlington Borough Council turned down an application to install the 11.5m Orange mast in Coniscliffe Road, because of public fear about possible health risks for children.

But Orange is appealing against the decision, claiming that the reason given by councillors did not hold "sufficient weight" to warrant a refusal of planning permission.

North-East MEP Stephen Hughes and his wife, Cyndi, who is ward councillor for Park East, are objecting to the appeal.

Coun Hughes said: "We are very concerned about the constant effect the mast could have the children at St Augustine's RC Primary School, in Beechwood Avenue, and on the local community.

"I am hoping to organise a meeting with parents and residents to ascertain the depth of people's fears.

"I will be taking legal advice about the best way to present my findings to the inspectorate, whether that be in the form of a survey or something else.

"I also urge as many people as possible to write letters to the inspectorate listing focused objections such as health fears."

She added that she would also be looking into why Stressholme Golf Club was rejected by the borough council as an alternative site for the Orange mast.

Martin McLean, chairman of governors at St Augustine's School, said he was disappointed that Orange had decided to appeal but that the school would object.

Orange claims radio coverage needs extending in south-west Darlington and there are no alternative sites.

In its grounds of appeal, Orange quoted a recent review by the Independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation, which concluded: "Exposure levels from living near to mobile phone base stations are extremely low and the overall evidence indicates that they are unlikely to pose a risk to health."

The matter will be decided by the Planning Inspectorate based on written representations. Those wishing to comment need to write to 3/26 Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN, by April 21.