CONTROVERSIAL plans to erect an 82ft mobile telephone mast in the Ribble Valley may be about to be scrapped.

Orange Communications wanted to build the mast on land belonging to Clitheroe engineering firm, Lodematic, whose premises are on Primrose Road, but the company has now withdrawn its support for the plans.

When the plans were revealed by Ribble Valley Council, they immediately met with opposition from residents.

Maria Stephenson, who lives in nearby Primrose cottage called the mast, "a monstrosity."

Mrs Stephenson voiced fears that the mast would ruin an area of outstanding natural beauty and damage the health of people living nearby.

She said: "I am delighted that Lodematic has withdrawn its support.

"At the end of the day, if the company says it does not not want the mast built on its land, then I don't think it will be built.

"It can only be built if the owners of the land agree to it."

Miles Thompson, joint managing director of Lodematic Engineering, said: "We had a meeting with residents and as far as we are concerned the matter is closed.

"I can confirm that we have written to the company which acts on behalf of Orange to say that we do not want to pursue the matter further.

A spokesman for Orange said: "As soon as Orange receives a formal response on the site provider's decision, we will review our options.

"It is too early to say what our next course of action will be."

John Macholc of the Ribble Valley Council planning department thought that although the planning application would proceed in the usual manner, he did not think it would now go ahead.

He said: "The council did have reservations about the impact on a listed property and the environment."

"If Lodematic has pulled out I would think that Orange will withdraw the application and that will be the end of the matter."