RESIDENTS can voice their fears over the siting of mobile phone masts by taking part in a mass rally on March 8.

Radcliffe-based Mast Sanity, which is affiliated to the Campaign for Planning Sanity, is inviting local people to join thousands of protesters from across the UK in London to demand their say in the siting of communication transmitters in their communities.

News of the demonstrations comes just a week after Mast Sanity revealed an Orange mobile phone transmitter was situated in the grounds of Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury.

Although there is no conclusive proof that radiation emitted from phone masts causes health problems, an independent study commissioned by the Government reported that a "precautionary approach" should be adopted until more is known.

It also stressed this was of particular importance to siting masts near schools or other sensitive sites. However, other studies maintain there is a link.

Chris Maile, chairman of Mast Sanity which is based in Outwood, said: "Already we are seeing phone masts being torn down in Northern Ireland, and direct action by residents in other parts of the UK.

"Only if the Government acts in the interests of these communities will such actions be prevented."