NOT for the first time, the use of mobile phones is linked with causing brain tumours.

And though the scare has been contradicted in the past, this latest alert is more worrying - since research funded by the mobile phone industry itself suggests there is a risk.

It must be stressed that all this is far from proof that there is a real danger.

But, in the meantime, while it is vital that research is stepped up so the truth is found, it is time to play safe.

The public must be given full health information on the use of mobiles so that people can make their own choices rather than carrying on in what could be dangerous ignorance.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.