MOBILE phone giant O2 has confirmed it is looking at an alternative site for a planned mast after fierce opposition from residents.

But officials are still hoping the application for a 15-metre telecommunications mast next to the Esso petrol station in Shadsworth Road, Shadsworth, will be approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Ann McCracken, from O2 regional communications, said today: "We hope it is approved but if it is refused one option we have is to appeal and the other is to find somewhere else and we are looking at an alternative.

"We had originally looked at a site in Romney Walk where there is a structure owned by NTL. Originally it was felt that it wouldn't be sound enough to take any more but we have revised our proposal and we are in talks.

Furious residents have drafted a petition with more than 400 signatures opposing the plans which they claim are too close to Shadsworth Primary School, St Antony's Primary School, Crosshill Special School, a chemist, petrol station and nursery.

Debra Willis, of Shadsworth Road, who launched the petition, said: "I've two kids and I don't want it there and my neighbours say the same."

Another resident of Shadsworth Road, Harry Bamford, who had major heart surgery in 2004, admitted he was worried about the emissions.

More than 40 people attended a public meeting in Shadsworth Community Centre where they slammed the consultation process carried out by O2.

Only 29 people were contacted and St Antony's School, which has 200 children just 300 yards from the site, was missed out. Headteacher Margaret Crom-pton said: "My concern is we've never been consulted and I want to know why."

And Shadsworth councillor Tony Humphrys added: "Consulting 29 people is not even a fraction of the people who are going to be affected."

But Mrs McCracken said: "Every residential area tends to have a school close to it.What we do, in line with the (government) code of practice, is always consult with schools. We wrote to the three councillors, MP and some of the properties closest to the proposed site."

A date for the planning meeting is to be confirmed.