PROTESTORS have called for an immediate halt to an electricity pylon project in North Yorkshire, after revelations about a link to childhood cancers.

The Government Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation is expected to admit for the first time this week that children living near power lines are at increased risk from leukaemia.

Pressure group Revolt says National Grid's plans for a 50- mile electricity pylon line between Shipton, near York, and Lackenby, Teesside, should be stopped.

Protestors have pointed to cases such as that of Jannette Smith, who lives in Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton.

Her brother and mother have died of cancer, and now her father is suffering from the disease.

The family say it is the result of living near overhead pylons.

The findings, disclosed by Sir Richard Doll, who established the link between smoking and lung cancer in the 1960s, will be presented to the National Radiological Protection Board.

Peter Johnson, of Revolt, said: "The whole project should now be reviewed by the Government as a matter of urgency and put on ice.

"We have been saying for some time that there is a risk from overhead power lines, but the National Grid has been hiding behind the National Radiological Protection Board, which has said there is no risk.

"If the board accepts the claims of the advisory group then they are saying to the National Grid there is a link."

Final consent for the North Yorkshire pylon project was given in July last year by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Stephen Byers.

Professor Gerald Scott, who lives in North Yorkshire, gave evidence of possible health risks at a public inquiry into the pylons.

He said that he would support claims for damages from families against electricity companies.

These could "easily run into millions of pounds" if liability for childhood cancers was proved.

He said: "The Government has now got to listen to what we have been saying all along."

A National Grid spokesman said it took the issue of health seriously, but could not comment on the findings until publication of a National Radiological Protection Board report tomorrow