A COUPLE who retired to their dream bungalow in Melksham have had their plan for a peaceful life scuppered by moves to install a mobile phone mast next to their home.

Victor and Ann Taylor, of Burniston Close, received a letter from Vodafone on December 24 informing them of the mast plan.

If Vodafone gets planning permission the 39ft pole would be built on the verge of the A3102, just four metres from their back garden.

Mr Taylor, 62, plans to write a letter to Vodafone and will distribute it to his neighbours to rally support against the mast. He hopes 30-40 families will sign their names in opposition.

He said not only would the mast ruin his view but he is concerned on health grounds.

Mr Taylor, a former truck driver, took early retirement because of ill-health two-and-a-half years ago.

He said: "We decided to move down here for a quieter life and found the little bungalow. It's my wife's little Wendy House."