By Holly Robinson

CAMPAIGNERS in Westwood are furious that plans to site a mobile phone mast in their village were set to be approved last night.

Parents from Westwood Nursery School and residents in Upper Westwood have been fighting plans by Vodafone to put a 12-metre mast on land at Hanson Mine, only 100 metres from the school.

Amanda Burnside, chairman of Westwood Nursery School, said people feared their children would be exposed to harmful radiation if the mast was allowed.

She said: "What we don't understand is why other local authorities are taking the decision to ban masts near school sites, and our authority is not."

A petition signed by 27 parents of children at the nursery school has been sent to West Wiltshire District Council and eight residents have also written letters objecting to the plan.

The village already has two masts: a 40-metre mast with Vodafone equipment and a 15-metre Orange mast.

Vodafone says the mast and base station are necessary to improve coverage for users in the area and the existing masts are not suitable.

Council planning officers have recommended granting permission providing steps are take to minimise the mast's impact on the landscape.