NEIGHBOURS and Nelson Golf Club members have resigned themselves to the fact a nearby telephone mast will not be pulled down but they say they are determined to fight for any way of concealing -- if not preventing -- a second mast on top of the original.

They have submitted a petition and letters to Pendle Borough Council putting the reasons why they are against new application by NTL, which involves adding an extra 4.5 metre high mast above the original 17.5 metre mast.

But planning officers have recommended approval with the condition landscaping is carried out to screen what has been described as 'a terrible eyesore.'

Permission was given in 1996 for a 15 metre high mast with antennae around the top on the hill top to the south of Folly Hall Farm and behind Weatherhill Crescent, in Brierfield, but it was discovered during a recent inspection that the mast was 2.5metres higher than it was supposed to be.

A report to next week's Brierfield and Reedley Committee, which will decide whether to pass the plans, states that because it is more than four years since the first mast was put up, no enforcement action can be taken against it.

The new proposals include a 4.5 metre monopole mast with dish antennae and three sector antenna on top of the existing mast, as well as a cabin and meter cabinet.

Nelson Golf Club secretary Barry Thomason, has attended several meetings and said he spoke against the plans on behalf of the club's 600 to 700 members and the thousands of people who walk along Pendle Way.

He said: "We as a club complained 18 months ago that the trees that had been put around the mast had died and it can be seen from miles around yet when we had to put up a building for our machinery it had to be sheltered because it might be seen from half a mile away.

"It's a terrible eyesore and spoils the view for residents, walkers and golfers.

"We aren't that daft that we think they would pull it down but to add more to it to make it even higher is ridiculous. We want it so that it is hidden from view.

"The local councillors have been helpful and very sympathetic to our cause but unfortunately their hands are tied."

The report to councillors suggests approval because it would allow BT Cellnet to share the site rather than having to submit an application for a new mast somewhere in the locality.