MOBILE phone masts will be banned from areas near schools and homes as part of a council crackdown.

Officials at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council have drawn up a protocol stating exactly where the controversial antennae can be placed.

The move follows growing concerns, especially among parents, that masts' safety has yet to be proven.

In July, Hartlepool Borough Council became the first in the region to issue guidelines governing the location of phone masts.

Councillor Helen McLuckie, Redcar and Cleveland council's planning committee chairwoman, said its decision to follow suit will benefit both residents and phone companies.

"We were concerned about the number of planning applications coming in for antennae, and we were aware of the public concern, so we felt there was a need to set up a protocol," she said.

"Now, companies will be aware of how we feel and it will be much easier for the planning committee to make decisions."

Under the 13-point guidelines, firms will have to prove "special justification" for siting masts near homes, schools, hospitals, or anywhere frequented by "vulnerable" people.

They are unlikely to get permission for placing them in heritage or conservation areas, and will have to prove that proposed areas for new masts can not be covered by existing ones.

When granted, approval will only last for up to five years, after which time councillors hope masts will no longer be required.

Coun McLuckie said: "We feel that in five years there will be no need for masts because technology will have advanced beyond them."

She said that limiting their locations rather than banning them entirely was the most sensible option