A FORMER Radcliffe pub landlord claims that his long-running campaign to link high voltage power cables and childhood cancers has been vindicated by new findings.

For the past seven years Mr William Singleton (57), of Warwick Road, Radcliffe, who packed in his job at the Sparking Clog over the health fears, has been fighting for a change in the law which would give local authorities the power to refuse planning permission for building under power lines.

And his argument has been strengthened by the publication of a watchdog's report this week which states that children living near high voltage power cables run a small but significant risk of developing cancer.

"It proves what I've been saying all along," said Mr Singleton. "I feel totally vindicated.

"Up until now local authorities have had no teeth but this really strengthens my case. Hopefully it will enable them to withhold planning permission near pylons."

The report has been written by Sir Richard Doll, who is chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board's (NRPB) advisory group on non-ionising radiation. He carried out research into the cancer cases of people living near power lines, and the results are the first time a government body has linked power lines and increased levels of childhood cancer.

But the report stated that more research was needed before any causal link could be proved. A spokesman for the department of health said that the Government welcomed the report and would work with the NRPB to ensure that its findings are made available to the general public.

He added: "The Government will work with the NRPB to begin new research into the factors that lead to certain households having higher levels of electro-magnetic fields.

"The NRPB is already undertaking a review of the guidelines for electro-magnetic fields."

Mr Singleton has seen his world turned upside-down since he first became aware of the apparent dangers of power lines.

He and his wife, Margaret (57), were the licensees of the Sparking Clog pub on Radcliffe Moor Road between 1990 and 1994.

They moved out in April 1994 and gave up their jobs as licensees four months later, fearing their health was at risk after they found out electro-magnetic fields running through their home were 100 times higher than usual due to 400,000 volt electricity pylons overhead.

During his time at the pub, Mr Singleton, who now works as a nursing assistant, claims that he suffered headaches, groin pain, tingling in the face and lips, lethargy and movement under the skin, attributing this to the pylons.

At one point he underwent tests for cancer at Bury General Hospital, but those fears proved unfounded.

In a controversial legal test case he tried to stop the Sparking Clog's licence being renewed, claiming that the electro-magnetic fields around the cables were a health hazard.

But the court said that there was no clear evidence to support his claims. Mr Singleton lost the case and was ordered to pay £4,000 in costs in 1995.

In light of the latest findings he is considering attempting to claim back that money.