CONTROVERSIAL plans to make a phone mast in Trowbridge even taller were being decided last night.

Orange wants to increase the height of the Canal Road mast by another five metres to take two additional feeders with six aerials and one dish antenna.

West Wiltshire district planners have been told the higher mast will be clearly visible from even more houses in Canal Road, The Down and Greenway Gardens.

The Radio Communications Agency has confirmed that the bigger mast will not affect television and radio reception in the area.

Planning officers were recommending the scheme be given the go-ahead by last night's West Wiltshire District Council central area committee, because it is in line with Government policy which wants existing masts extended rather than more put up.