PARENTS of children at a Warminster school have voiced their fears over a mobile phone mast planned just 200 yards from the school grounds.

The 15 metre Orange communications mast and equipment cabinet planned for Heytesbury was due to get the go-ahead at last night's southern area committee after planning officers gave the all-clear.

But residents have spoken out against the plans, saying children's health could be put at risk.

The Heytesbury, Imber and Knook Parish Council objected strongly to plans, arguing there is mounting evidence that the electro-magnetic fields around the transmitter could be linked to childhood leukaemia and cancer.

This follows a case in Hartlepool, where pupils at West Park Primary School, which is near a mobile phone mast, were found to be four times more likely to have concentration problems and five times more likely to suffer skin problems .

Yvonne Gross, chairman of the parish council, who also has three children at Heytesbury Primary School, said Orange should attend the meeting to address fears.

She said: "Why is it so near the school's play area? It is the not knowing that bothers us. As we are unhappy, they should come and tell us why it is safe.

"The whole community should have been informed about these plans but only a few houses close to the school were informed."

But as the mast meets International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection guidelines, there is no need for planners to consider the effects on health.

There were also objections about the size of the mast, which many say will visually intrude on an area of outstanding natural beauty.