Villagers are fuming after work began near their homes this week on an 82ft mast that they knew nothing about.

Dozens of residents living in Sandplace, near Looe, gathered at the platform of Sandplace Railway Station to air their concerns and were disappointed no representatives from Network Rail or their local MP accepted an invitation to the meeting.

Residents say a 'wall of silence' has been created by Network Rail and local councillors around the erection of the 25-metre communications mast at the branch line station.

Caroline Foster said: 'We would ask Network Rail to consider whether this mast could be located where there are no homes, where it might not spoil such a scenic view as Sandplace station and its bridge or create a distraction and impede the vision of motorists approaching it.'

Father-of-two Steve Wright lives in the house closest to the station and said: 'I am appalled, disgusted and crushed at the way Network Rail steam-rolled their way through without consultation.'

Full details in this week's Cornish Times.