PLANS for a 75ft mobile telephone mast in the grounds of a community centre have been rejected by parish councillors for the second time.

Proposals by Castle Crown Communications to site the mast near Hurworth Grange Community Centre, near Darlington, were narrowly rejected at meeting of the parish council. The company applied to put up a mast in the grounds of the community centre last December.

Although it was agreed in principle, parish councillors rejected the scheme mainly on health grounds.

Similar health concerns, as well as protests about the height of the mast, were raised at the parish council meeting.

Chairman Joyce Brooks said: "I do not want to be the one responsible for putting it up if, in five or ten years' time, it starts causing health problems."

Some members argued the mast would bring in valuable rent for the community centre.

Councillor John Lawrie, chairman of the Hurworth Grange management committee, said: "It is quite clear that Hurworth is going to have a mast in the future. This way we get a say over where it goes, and I think we have to be responsible over this."

No-one from Castle Crown Communications was available for comment on the scheme last night.