A PLANNED telephone mast has been denounced as a monstrosity by people in Wootton Bassett.

Network Rail wants to put the 100ft (33m) mast on railway land behind New Road.

The plans have angered residents, who say they were not consulted over the plans for the mast.

However, planning rules mean the mast can be erected without planning permission, in spite of being four times the height of the tallest house on New Road.

Heading the campaign against the mast are Richard Penning, resident of Pennstones, the house which would be directly in front of it, and Keith Crump, also of New Road.

On Saturday, people from the neighbourhood gathered at Mr Penning's house to air their views.

Mr Crump said: "We have had a 100 per cent positive response from the public.People are worried about their houses being devalued.

"We don't know the health implications of these masts yet, and that is very worrying."

Campaigners have already sent a petition against the mast to Network Rail, signed by 375 people. Local North Wiltshire district councillor Steve Bucknell believes the mast could put a stop plans to reopen the Wootton Bassett railway station.

He said: "The mast is proposed on the site of the Old Wootton Bassett railway station, which I have been trying to get reopened.

"We have got a policy coming through and it is going on deposit on April 3. There are grounds for saying we shouldn't have the mast there because that site is protected.

"North Wiltshire District Council has said it will not have masts on council-owned land, so I don't think it is a good idea here."

The campaigners were also supported by the Mayor of Wootton Bassett, Peter Roberts.

He said: "There is a great strength of feeling from residents.

"There has been no consultation about this, and the proposed mast is an absolute monstrosity. It is just an eyesore that is going to be put up there. We want our railway station to be reopened instead."

Mr Penning said: "Network Rail's response to our petition was to say it will consider placing the mast somewhere else. But we continue to make a nuisance of ourselves until they do."

Network Rail spokesman Jonathan Harwood, said: "We have permitted development rights to put up the mast as it is on land owned by Network Rail. They are part of a nationwide safety project which will provide an extensive radio system for train drivers."