NICE colour Gromit! A planned phone mast could be painted by a company responsible for colouring Wallace and Gromit in an effort to win villagers over.

Telecommunications giant Vodafone has already had one application to build a 15-metre-high phone mast in Huncoat rejected by planners because it wrecked the view of the local countryside.

Now they have applied for a 12-metre mast to be built on the same site, off Highergate Road, promising to paint it any colour locals want so it doesn't stand out as much.

And Vodafone today revealed the firm who will paint the mast, should it get planning permission, also paint Plasticine heroes Wallace and Gromit, the stars of three Oscar-winning movies!

David Danielli, from the Vodafone press office, said: "This to us is an important site which is why we have submitted a second planning application for a mast here. We have reduced the mast by three metres to help overcome the original concerns of local people and we will be painting it as well. That should help camouflage it into the surrounding area." He added: "It is entirely up to the planners what colour we paint it, but local authorities in the past have gone for browns or greens. Paint isn't just slapped on it. We use an established firm, who also, by coincidence, do the painting for Wallace and Gromit."

Vodafone's decision to re-apply for planning permission has enraged residents, with local councillor Dave Parkins claiming that people power is the only way to stop the scheme.

At a recent committee meeting, councillors said they felt the structure would have a particularly negative impact on Huncoat's war memorial.

Although concerns over the affect the mast would have on local people's health and possible interference with television pictures, councillors were told neither complaint merited rejecting the project.

Coun Dave Parkins said: "Residents made their feelings known to the development committee last time and it worked. If they still have these concerns, I would urge them to write in again."

Nick Whitaker, whose parents live opposite the site, said: "This mast is too close to houses. Painting it or reducing it in height does not reduce our concerns about health."