A COUPLE whose daughter has leukaemia say they will be forced to move if plans for a mobile phone mast are approved.

Hutchison 3G has applied to Durham City Council for permission to erect a 20m mast at Low Newton Farm, Brasside, Durham, only 100m from where Terry Bennett and Katy Hicken live with their daughter Rachel.

In addition to serving Hutchison's own customers, the mast would also serve those of up to four other mobile phone operators.

Mr Bennett, 26, whose four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in August 2001, said he was extremely concerned that it would worsen her condition.

He said. "A specialist in blood disorders gave us a few case studies on the effects of radiation on leukaemia and it ended up a lot worse.

"I'm not prepared to risk my daughter's health. If the phone mast goes up, we feel like we have no option other than to move house."

Mr Bennett said that as the village already had two phone masts, he did not understand why another was necessary.

He said 55 people attended a residents' meeting on December 28. "We have handed in 22 letters to the council. Hopefully, there are going to be a lot more, and there's also a petition going round."

A Hutchison spokesman said radiation levels would be independently checked and published on the company's website.

He said: "All our sites abide by international standards and we would be happy to address the family's concerns through meeting or corresponding with them."

A council spokeswoman said it was too early to comment on the plans.

Mr Bennett said he was planning to invite a representative of Hutchison 3G to the next residents' meeting which will be held at Brasside Club from 5.30pm on Saturday, January 18.