THE march of the masts bringing mobile phone technology to far-flung rural communities has come to a grinding halt in North Yorkshire.

Planners have rejected Vodafone's bid for an antenna on the tower of St Margaret's Church in Hawes - despite the company winning the support of the Yorkshire Dales National Park's officers.

A report tabled when the authority's planning committee met at Bolton Abbey Village Hall on Tuesday said the visual impact of the mast could be kept to a minimum by disguising it as a flagpole.

However, members said the church was a listed building and approving Vodafone's application could set a precedent, making it difficult for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to stand in the way of similar projects in future.

The decision will disappoint Vodafone, which has the option of an appeal.

However, both Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council and Hawes Primary School were also resisting the application on health grounds.

With the school's playground no more than 200 yards away, both feared radiation from the mast could put children at risk.