PLANS for a third new mobile phone mast in Burnley have been submitted to Burnley Council.

Masts are already proposed for King's Mill, in Queen Street, Briercliffe, and Brownside Road, and now there are plans for a third on a grass verge in Glen View Road.

The news comes before a meeting tonight organised by anti-mast campaign group Together Against Masts to discuss the potential health risks to people living near them.

Dennis Cannon, founder of TAM, said Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd, the company behind the applications, had plans for up to 10 masts in the area to support the so-called third generation phones.

Recent applications for planning permission had resulted in 750 people contacting him to join TAM, bringing the group's total membership to around 3,000.

Mr Cannon said: "These masts are going up faster and faster and soon will be in every backyard in the town.

"Despite the numerous studies showing the danger they present, the risks are just swept under the carpet.

"The purpose of this meeting is to inform the general public about the growing concern about mobile phone masts.

"There is a lot of evidence to show that there are serious adverse effects on people's health.

"The Government and the operators have taken the stance that there is no danger but that is based on the fact that much of the evidence put forward about the risks to health has been discounted."

Scientist Barry Trower will be speaking at the meeting.

He was recently commissioned by the Police Federation to write a report on the radio masts being put up to support the force's new TETRA communication system, which prompted concerns over radiation emissions.

Chris Maile, a town planner and member of the pressure group Planning Sanity, will also speak about the restrictions placed on councils when considering applications for mobile phone masts.

The meeting is to be held at Sion Baptist Church at 7pm.

Anyone interested in joining TAM can contact Mr Cannon on 01282 771635.

Burnley Council's development control committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the planning application for a mobile phone mast on King's Mill.