AS many as 100 objections were enough to prompt planners to block a bid for a telecommunications mast in North Yorkshire, even though it would have been hidden inside a grain silo.

Hutchinson 3G was hoping a partnership with the owners of Ashes Farm, in Barton, would be enough to swing a decision in its favour. It even staged a demonstration last week, erecting a pole at the site to illustrate the height of the building.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England said putting the mast in a silo would mean it would blend in better than a steel pole, but Richmondshire District Council's planning committee was not convinced it was the right location for equipment to plug a gap in mobile phone coverage between Scotch Corner and Cleasby to the north.

Members sided with Barton Parish Council and about100 villagers, voting on Tuesday, to reject the application.