YOUNGSTERS could be exposed to cancer risks after a decision to allow a telecommunications mast to be erected near an Accrington school, claims a headmaster.

BT Quadrant has permission to build a 15-metre high mast 200 metres from St Anne's and St Joseph's Primary School in Sandy Lane.

Council planners said safety issues were the job of the Government and scientists to decide.

Scientists are divided on whether radiation from phone masts is linked to childhood cancer. A Parliamentary panel set up to investigate the issue said there was no proven health risk - but called for more research into the potential hazards.

The telecommunications tower, to be built on private land, will be part of a high-tech radio scheme being piloted by Lancashire Police and was given the go-ahead at a development services committee.

The scheme, paid for by the Government, will allow the emergency services to send pictures, fingerprints, reports and maps over the airwaves.

The school's headteacher Mark Dixon is worried about his pupils' health because of potential radiation emissions from the mast. He wrote a letter of objection to the plan, saying that he is worried that many children could be affected if links between phone masts and cancer were discovered.

A Parliamentary science and technology select committee recently called for more publicly-funded research into the health fears, although it said current evidence suggested that neither phones or masts were a health hazard.

Labour councillor Tim O'Kane said: "I realise it is an emotive subject because we are talking about schools and possible dangers but I think the advantages much outweigh the disadvantages."

Conservative councillor Janet Storey said: "If one child was made ill it would be too late. There is concern from the headmaster and he is right to voice those concerns because uncertainties remain."

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