THE future is looking brighter for health conscious residents in Elton.

Despite winning planning approval to put a telecommunications tower close to Guardian Angels RC Primary School, mobile phone firm Orange has put the scheme on ice pending a review of mast locations in the new year.

The move has been welcomed by Bury North MP David Chaytor who has joined 100 MPs in expressing continued concern about the siting of mobile phone masts in residential areas, particularly near schools and hospitals.

Mr Chaytor was involved in campaigns against Orange's proposal and that of BT Cellnet's failed attempt to site a tower close to Woodbank Primary School in Brandlesholme. He said: "I am pleased that Orange has responded to public pressure and, at the moment, has made no further moves to put its mast near Guardian Angels school.

"There is still no conclusive proof that mobile phone masts are a danger to health. But there is also no firm scientific evidence to show that they don't cause long-term health risks.

"Meanwhile, we ought to be applying precautionary principle, particularly where the health of young children is concerned."

The Government is being urged to commission urgent new research on the long-term health risks of the masts while assurances are being sought to ensure planning authorities and communication companies worked together to site new masts where they will cause the least visual and environmental impact."

Mr Chaytor concluded: "Until we have more hard evidence, we must not take risks with our children's health. There is still much too much that we don't know."

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