A MOBILE phone mast could be concealed inside a farm grain silo to appease opponents to a planned antennae.

Telecommunications company Hutchison 3G wants to install a 15-metre mast at The Ashes farm, in the centre of Barton, North Yorkshire.

Strong opposition was lodged by nearly 100 residents, the local school and Barton Parish Council, with most concerns relating to the visual impact of the structure and potential health risks.

Yesterday, the company erected a 15-metre temporary mast at the site to demonstrate the height of the structure to villagers, although the planning proposal is to install the mast and other equipment inside a 15m silo.

Campbell Dawson, ward member on Richmondshire District Council, who backs the objectors, said a more suitable site would be near the A1 motorway depot, where other masts already stood.

"It appears there is no need for a silo or mast at The Ashes farm and a suitable site at the interchange, beside existing masts, could be used," he said.

"If it was erected in the village, the visual impact would have a serious effect on the people."

A spokeswoman for Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, agents for Hutchison, said technology which allowed masts to be hidden inside silos had been developed only in the past two years.

It was felt this solution would be more sympathetic to the rural setting than the usual lattice tower.

The application will be debated by the district council's planning committee on Tuesday.