VILLAGERS are angry at plans to erect a mobile phone mast near a housing estate.

Hutchinson 3G has lodged a planning application for a 15 metre mast next to the A690, near the A1(M) junction at Carrville, near Durham.

The proposal has yet to go before Durham City Council, but villagers in Carrville have already voiced their protests.

About 20 residents attended Belmont Parish Council's meeting when the issue was discussed. The council voted unanimously against the proposal and its recommendation will be passed to the city council, which will make the final decision.

Belmont parish councillor Maurice Leggott said: "Concerns have been raised with respect to the health risks from emissions from the mast."

He also said: "Residents do feel the location is undesirable from the point of view of the visual impact. It would be very conspicuous."

More than 50 people also attended a meeting of Carrville Residents' Association at Belmont Workingmen's Club.

Parish councillor Jean Middlemass said later: "The only topic of conversation at the meeting was how we could stop this mast.

"I don't think there's a single person in the whole of Belmont or Carrville who wants this mast.

"When you think of all the industrial estates round here, why do they want to put it so near a housing estate?"

Petitions against the plans have been left at Belmont Library and the workingmen's club. Letters have also been sent to the city council.

Michael Alexander, a spokesman for Hutchinson 3G, said it would be happy to discuss the concerns.

He said: "We're very willing to meet with residents and work with them and the local authority to ensure our mast is situated in the best place. But to date, this is the best site we've found in the area."