Sir, - I refer to to Judy Fawcett's letter (D&S, Jan 17) regarding siting of mobile phone masts in Hawes and the power they radiate.

From reference to available data on the Government's Radio Communications Agency web site (http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk/) the Wensleydale mobile phone masts all radiate between 20 watts and the maximum permitted 32 watts.

An average mobile phone radiates about one watt. Given that the transmitting aerial on the masts is around 15 metres above ground level, it is probable they present less risk to the public than mobile phones themselves. This is because radiated energy from the masts becomes weaker the further you are away from it.

To make comparisons with other sources of radio transmitters: police cars or fire engines have transmitters which radiate at around 25 watts and are much closer to the ground. Fresh AM radio's transmitter outputs at one kilowatt (1,000 watts) and even more extreme, Bilsdale TV transmitter is 500,000 watts (Bainbridge TV repeater is 31 watts). The Fylingdales radar is thought to be about 2.2m watts.

Considering the Bilsdale TV mast has been transmitting over 50 years I could not find any reports of people living near to the transmitter on the North York Moors sustaining radiation illnesses from it. Likewise, have any policemen or firemen been affected from sitting next to the car aerial when transmitting to their HQs?

Siting the masts up on the fellside might seem a logical answer but unfortunately the higher up the masts are the further the radio signals travel and can interfere with adjacent masts frequencies.

Young people want mobile phones and to make them work the phones need plenty of vacant frequencies which equates with adequate provision of cellular radio masts.

The masts are an intrusion on our skyline and perhaps more effort could be made to disguise them. The masts are now part of our modern society and we either put up with them or do without the convenience of a telephone in our pocket.

NORMAN BEVITT

Carlton Miniott,

Thirsk.

A great lady

Sir, - I've no doubt people who have known Miss Edith Leyland of Bainbridge, who has died at the age of 104 (D&S, Jan 17), will remember her with great affection.

As well as working in the family business until retirement, and being a life-long Liberal supporter, she was also a devout Christian who for most of her life gave invaluable support to the old Congregational chapel until its closure.

For those of us brought up in the thirties, she was a dedicated Sunday school teacher, who did all she could in encouraging us to choose the right path.

After attending a village funeral prior to her 100th birthday three of us - all Sunday school pupils - paid her a visit. When I told her who I was she exclaimed "good heavens you've changed". I thought with a time lapse of 50 years, it would be difficult not to although I had to admit she had made a remarkable attempt at it.

DOUGLAS PUNCHARD

Keldholme,

Kirkbymoorside.