PHONE masts could be installed on church towers across the region following a landmark decision by an ecclesiastical court.

The Chancellor of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, His Honour Judge Simon Grenfell, has ruled in favour of allowing Vodafone equipment to be installed at St Margaret's, in Hawes and Holy Trinity, in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.

The judgement comes in the face of vigorous opposition from local communities which feared radiation could pose a risk to health.

But, in a ruling announced yesterday, Judge Grenfell confirmed each church will be granted permission for alterations to allow telecommunications equipment to be installed.

Permission comes with the condition that Vodafone monitors levels of radiation from both masts to ensure they meet internationally recognised guidelines.

The company will also have to ensure the equipment is not used to transmit obscene, indecent, offensive or menacing material.

The decision is expected to influence the handling of similar applications around the region.

Delivering his ruling, Judge Grenfell indicated churches in the Ripon and Leeds diocese would no longer have to provide "cogent and compelling evidence" that there is no risk to health provided the proposed levels are within Government guidelines.

The judgement also indicates that future objections based on the argument that telecommunications masts are inappropriate for church buildings are unlikely to succeed.

Councillor John Blackie, who serves on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority which originally voted to reject the Hawes application, said residents would be extremely disappointed by the ruling.

Coun Blackie said: "I am very disappointed with the judgement and the language of the judgement."

He said alternative sites away from churches could have been considered.

Rival mobile phone company Orange is considering another site in Hawes which could have been been used by Vodafone, he said.

However, Vodafone's Jane Frapwell insisted residents have little to fear.

She said: "The company policy is to guarantee that the equipment we use is compliant with international guidelines. The levels of radiation are at such a low level they are no worse than those emitted by radio networks used by the emergency services or some household appliances.

"Contrary to what you may read in the media from time to time, the consensus of opinion is that there is no scientific evidence that mobile phone masts are a risk to health."