THE headteacher of a Middlesbrough school has described a newly-built giant pylon as "an awful blot on the landscape" which he fears could put pupils' health at risk.

The 52-metre tall pylon overlooks the playing fields of Nunthorpe School and forms part of a controversial new National Grid power line from Lackenby to Shipton.

Headteacher John Rowling said: "It is right at the end of our school field and it is big and monstrous and horrible. We don't like it very much.

"It is massive, there's another one close by which is a bit smaller and two or three more are going to be built close by.

"I do feel very concerned about the effect it might be having on pupils' health, but there is nothing we can do about it."

The campaign group Revolt - Rural England Versus Overhead Transmission - has been fighting the power line scheme for a decade, through two public inquiries.

But chairman Professor Mike O'Carroll said the group did not object to the pylons in Nunthorpe because they form part of a 15-mile stretch from Lackenby to Picton, which will replace a longer, existing line.

"On balance we are happy with that stage but it's the other stage, from Picton to Shipton, that we have a problem with. They want a new line and the old line there and we object to that. It is bad environmentally in all sorts of ways and it could have health implications."

A National Grid spokesman said: "We understand that many people would prefer not to have pylons within their view, but we are all users of electricity and they carry out a vital role."