THE first Internet petition against controversial regulations on the siting of mobile phone masts has been launched.

North Yorkshire MP Phil Willis is urging campaigners to sign the petition following the Government's refusal to change the planning system which governs phone masts.

Mr Willis, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the Government should implement the recommendation of Sir William Stewart's recent report, stating that all masts should require full planning consent.

He said: "All campaigners across the UK want is a planning system which is understandable and gives local people a fair crack of the whip. At present, the system is biased towards mobile phone companies who have just given £22bn for their new licences.

"The Government must realise people are being forced to suffer phone masts within feet of their homes and schools."

The petition can be seen at www.freespace.virginnet.co.uk/mast.action