A THOUSAND people have signed a petition against a proposed mobile phone mast they claim will devalue their homes.

The residents, who live in the Marsh House Avenue area of Billingham, are angry about plans by One2One to erect a phone mast and two equipment cabins outside the Owton Farm pub.

The campaigners say they are concerned about the health implications from the mast and the negative effect it will have on the look of their neighbourhood.

Campaigner Barbara Stain-thorpe said: "This is a highly populated area and the company wants to put this mast on the footpath outside a pub.

"I have a mobile phone, and I know they have to put these masts up somewhere, but there are lots of fields around that they could use.

"I don't understand why they can't put it somewhere else.

"Not enough is known about the health risks of these masts, and then there is the house prices.

"What is the point of having a £100,000 house if a mast is going to be outside it? It will definitely affect all the prices in the area."

Mrs Stainthorpe and her fellow campaigners have collected 1,000 signatures against the mast and have sent their petition to Stockton Borough Council.

If the council does not block the mast proposal, Mrs Stainthorpe has vowed to continue the fight.

She said: "It seems that these phone companies are just trying their luck to put masts wherever they can, and it's up to the public to kick up enough fuss to put them off.

"If they try and put the mast up we will look at other forms of protest.

"We will take direct action if necessary to stop this mast ruining our area."

The council will consider the proposal on Friday, March 30. Members will not be able to take into account the suggested health risks, but will be able to oppose the mast if they believe it is in the wrong place and is badly designed.

No one at One2One was available to comment