VILLAGERS in Sherston say mobile telephone masts near the proposed site for a new school could prove a risk to pupils.

At a public meeting attended by more than 100 in the school hall on Friday, there was support for a plan to built a new school on a 114-acre field on land owned by Coun Trevor Moody in Sopworth Road.

He bought the land from the county council in March last year, but the council has an option to buy it back within 20 years, for the same price.

But villagers are worried because three mobile phone masts, belonging to Vodafone, are located on top of a 40ft water tower in the field.

They said the proximity of the masts to a new school was a matter of concern.

Mr Moody said he now wants to discuss the concern over the masts with Sherston parish councillors at a meeting tonight.

He said: "I brought this to the notice of the parents, but we have been assured by John Thomson, the county councillor, that a thorough risk assessment will be carried out."

Villagers are to be sent a questionnaire to be completed by the end of the month, asking whether they would prefer the school to stay where it is or move.

The county council has also looked into building a school at two alternative sites, the Pennymead recreation ground and Easton Town.

Coun Moody said he would like a more thorough examination of these sites, and any other alternatives.

"I am of the opinion that the village should have a new school rather than investing the money in the current site," he said.

"But what I want to see is a proper investigation carried out.

"Using my land is an easy cop-out for the council and I am not convinced that they have looked at all the best options for the village."

He said he was also concerned at the increase in traffic on roads leading to the site.

Richard Knibb, of Pinkney, near Sherstonthe chairman of Sherston School governors, whose 11-year-old son Ross is a pupil at the school, said he was also keen that a full investigation of the site is carried out before things go further.

"Anything which could affect the safety of children in the school is of concern, he said.

"But we have to put this in to perspective, and accept that using a mobile phone is as dangerous as being close to a mast," said Mr Knibb.

"The county council has said it will do a risk assessment before any building contract was entered into."

He said he hoped the new school could be built in two years.

County councillor John Thomson said if all goes to plan, it could be built in 12 to 18 months.

Parish council chairman John Matthews said he approved of the new school site, but agreed all factors must be investigated.

"The future of the school must be the most important thing that has happened in the village for a long while," said Coun Matthews.

"Schools, shops and post offices are the lifeblood of villages and we have to get this right."

Friday's public meeting was chaired by Coun Matthews, with a panel consisting of Mr Knibb, Coun Thomson, and John Loach, of architects Eric Cole and Partners.

dvaller@newswilts.co.