A GROUP of residents are terrified that radio equipment proposed for the top of a Leigh factory will expose them to harmful radiation.

Plans have been submitted to install equipment that includes six antennae and four microwave dishes, on the roof of floor-covering manufacturers -- Leigh Spinners Ltd on Park Lane.

Jim Pemberton, 62 of Greendale Crescent, claims that many of his neighbours are now worried for their health after the plans were lodged with Wigan Council.

"To date research into how the radiation from these transmitters and microwave dishes can affect people, especially children, is still inconclusive and until such time as it is proven to be absolutely safe, we should have grave concern and only site these installations in isolated locations not in built-up areas," he said.

"This factory has private housing on three sides around it. Plus a park where children play and Bedford High on the other side."

Mr Pemberton, an area manager for an engineering company, said if the equipment went up it would be a little too close for comfort -- his back yard backs on to factory land.

"People don't want to live in close proximity to equipment that may not be safe. If I wanted to move how would I sell my house?"

Neighbour Margaret Ridyard, 63, also of Greendale Crescent, is equally disturbed.

Margaret, a housewife, said: "I am very annoyed about it and I don't want it. I've written off three letters protesting. Not enough research has been done and we don't know if they are safe.

"I don't see how they will be able to get permission with a high school next door.

"What benefit is it to a factory to have this equipment? To them I think it's just a matter of making money."

Both Jim and Margaret felt not enough was being done to inform nearby residents of the proposed additions to the factory roof.

Jim said: "To my knowledge only about five people have been notified about what might be happening."

A Wigan council spokesman said: "It is not going to be a mobile phone mast. It is for a radio equipment room inside the building.

"On the top they propose to put antennae and four microwave dishes which look like satellite dishes.

"This week it will be advertised in the two local newspapers. The public will be able to put forward their complaints."

But he confirmed it is exactly the same technology that is used if it was mounted on a mast.

He added there was no way of knowing how many mobile phone masts had been put up in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley because planning permission was not always needed to put them up.

As yet the council do not have a policy regarding telecommunications equipment.

Although the Government has accepted a precautionary approach to be taken towards them recommended by the Independent Expert Group.

Peter Horrocks, joint managing director of Leigh Spinners Limited said they had a high structure and wanted to make use of it.

He said it was the responsibility of the government to decide if telecommunications equipment was safe.

THE Stewart report considered public concern over the potential health effects of radio waves and found: "The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of the guidelines. However, there can be indirect adverse effects on their wellbeing in some cases." The report also says the possibility of harm cannot be ruled out with confidence and that the gaps in knowledge are sufficient to justify a precautionary approach.