NELSON councillors want to stop mobile phone companies putting masts near homes and schools.

Coun Sonia Robinson threatened to lead a revolt and get her colleagues to refuse to vote on whether a mast should be put on top of the El Tropicano club in Hibson Road because Government policy was forcing them to do something they did not believe in.

During a fierce debate councillors from all parties expressed dismay that Vodafone could ignore guidelines about where masts should go, that council officers had directed the company towards El Tropicano and that health concerns could not be taken into consideration.

More than 588 people have signed a petition objecting to the mast which would be close to St John Southworth, Marsden County Primary, McMillan Nursery and St Paul's Schools.

Coun Robinson said: "We are being forced to vote on something we do not believe in. What happens if we all refuse to vote because we don't have confidence in the Government guidelines? We are over a barrel."

Shazad Sarwar from Pendle Residents Against Insensitive Siting of Masts told the committee there was no need for the mast and a recent Government report had said the beam of greatest radiation intensity should not fall on a school without the agreement of the governing body and parents.

Co-opted committee member Susan Nike said: "There are two masts within 400 yards of this site but Vodafone want their own dedicated site, higher up because it's competition between firms. It's completely wrong that people don't have more say over their homes. I'm not allowed to vote at this committee but if I could I'd put two hands up because it's disgraceful."

Councillors voted to defer the application until June 27 to get more information.