ALDBOURNE has become the latest community in the Marlborough area to find itself in a fight against a telecommunications mast that could affect the health of children as well as causing an eyesore in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

After Avebury was forced to accept a telecom mast near the World Heritage Site and Marlborough residents rose up against a scheme to put three masts on the roof of the telephone exchange, Aldbourne will learn its fate at Kennet council's regulatory committee meeting next Thursday.

Crown Castle International want to erect three antennas for Orange mobile phones and a small microwave dish on the site of the existing mast at Stock Lane, within metres of homes and not far from St Michael's Primary School.

Resident Brian Holbrow, 67, who lives 200 metres from the site, said: "It is an eyesore and a health hazard. Already someone living close to the mast has gone down with thyroid cancer and someone else developed a cancer on their ear."

The planning application is recommended for approval at Thursday's meeting, despite a dozen or so letters of objection from local people.

A Kennet planning report says emissions from the proposed installation will be within safety limits.