Mobile phones giant Orange's bid to erect a 12-metre mast in one of North Yorkshire's prettiest villages is being opposed by planners and residents who say it will spoil famous views.

Orange wants to put up the mast at Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering, because of poor reception in the area.

The company told the North York Moors park authority that the mast would provide 'in-fill' in reception and would only be partially visible.

Orange said it had had difficulty finding a suitable site after the authority turned down an application to build a mast near The Hall.

But objectors have written to the authority's planning officers protesting that views of one chocolate box scene, the thatched Beck Isle Cottage, and others would be spoiled.

The site earmarked at Manor Farm is in prominent position on a working farm which forms part of the character and rural setting of the village, said Val Dilcock, chief planning officer.

"It is within a conservation area and near listed buildings. Although the site is relative low lying with some tree cover, it is readily seen from various public vantage points."

Mrs Dilcock said that while Orange had taken care to design the pole in as unobtrusive position as possible it would have been a detrimental impact on the area and is recommending the plan should be turned down.