RESIDENTS of a west Wiltshire village said they were fooled into thinking they had won a battle against a new phone mast.

Many thought public pressure had forced the mobile phone company Orange to shelve plans for a 15-metre mast in Heytesbury, near Warminster. However, the mast appeared overnight last week.

Louise Knox, a spokesman for West Wiltshire District Council, said Orange had had planning permission for more than a year.

She said, "They were given permission in July 2000. All relevant parties were informed and the southern area committee approved it in October 2000.

"A new application was received on October 27, 2000, which included a satellite dish and antenna. This was withdrawn in January 2001, but superseded by the original plan."

Orange had five years before the planning permission expired.

"Obviously it's unfortunate that people are distressed, but we can't be blamed for their oversight," said Miss Knox.

Yvonne Gross, the parish council chairman, said: "There has been a great deal of confusion surrounding this application. We worked hard to fight against the plan, but this now seems to have been a waste of time." She is to organise a public meeting and petition.

A spokesman for Orange said: "Every site we choose complies with all planning and legal regulations. If the public have any problems they can phone us on 0800 7835021."