A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to erect a radio mast in the heart of beautiful Farndale has been given the go-ahead - despite a local outcry.

National park planners on Monday gave unanimous approval to the scheme for the famous daffodil vale on the North York Moors.

Disappointed opponents claimed their arguments had been ignored, but a spokesman for BT, which is erecting the mast for the emergency services, welcomed the decision. "This is something that is for the safety of the whole community," he said.

The mast will consist of a 15m pole topped by a 5m antenna and will be part of a new national network for the police and, possibly later, other emergency services.

The digital radio service will allow seamless communications and give almost 100pc coverage, helping to cut out the "black holes" where reception is currently not possible.

Because of the strength of local pressure, the mast's position has been slightly altered and it will now be on the valley side where it won't be right against the skyline. It will also be surrounded by trees which will be augmented by further planting.

Opponents also raised health fears, pointing to Friends of the Earth research which claimed the mast's non-ionising radiation could be harmful.

However, members of the national park planning committee took their advice from the government's national radiological protection board, which said radiation from such masts was within acceptable limits