FURIOUS residents vented their anger on mobile phone bosses during a heated public meeting on plans to put a mast on a church.

Padiham residents say they fear they will be bombarded by microwaves from the telecommunications mast on St Leonard's church tower.

They got a direct line to Orange's senior personnel manager Rob Kelly and company environmental officer Mark Whitehouse at a public meeting in Padiham town hall last night when they bombarded them with questions and complaints over the proposal.

The Orange men presented their plans and tried to assure the 100-strong audience they need have no fears for safety. But they failed to convince worried residents who voted unanimously against the scheme, which will bring in much-needed finance for church repairs.

Meeting chairman Coun Granville Lord said everyone had their say and, although residents made their points strongly, he was proud of the informed and restrained level of support.

He added: "The men from Orange took a lot of flak and took it on the chin, saying they appreciated the high level of debate."

Protest leader Dennis Cannon said the Orange arguments failed to persuade him the mast was safe.

"Our biggest disappointment was that no-one from the church came to address the meeting -- even though we had invited representatives to come along."

Coun Lord added: "We know the church desperately needs money for repairs and residents have even offered to raise funds to help, so there would be no need for a mast."

On Sunday, protesters delivered their message to churchgoers as they made their way to the morning service.

The argument will now move to Burnley town hall tomorrow night when the development control committee will finally decide the issue.