THERE is concern "in the air" for Radcliffe residents worried about plans to install telecommunications equipment.

Those living in and around Rossall Avenue are alarmed at proposals by multimedia company Hutchinson 3G to erect a flagpole containing three antennae as well as a box of electrics on the side of the Old School Antiques building in Walker Street.

Mrs Laura Shore, whose house would overlook the apparatus, said: "I've asked around and only four people seem to have had letters about the proposals, which makes me feel suspicious.

"Naturally I'm concerned because I have a daughter aged two and a son aged six. I would never have moved here if I'd known about these plans."

She was also alarmed to learn that the Walker Street site is the third that the company has expressed interest in.

"Stand Golf Club were approached but declined because there were concerns about the visual prominence and when Stand Unitarian Church were asked they were just not interested."

Mr Anthony Lyons, who also lives in Rossall Avenue, said: "I'm concerned because you hear all sorts of stories about the harmful waves this sort of apparatus give off. My grandchildren visit quite often and I'd be worried about the effect it would have on them."

Ben Strutt, community affairs spokesman for Hutchinson 3G, stressed that a Government review found that there was no risk to those living near such installations.

He said: "We take concerns about health a safety extremely seriously. The construction would be in sympathy with the environment and would not add any clutter."

Planning bosses will discuss the application to erect a mast in due course.