Parents objecting to a Mercury mobile phone mast being sited near a primary school are hoping that the company will now choose another location.

Residents in Millbrook, both worried and angry that approval has already been given by Caradon council for the 15 metre monopole, are keeping their fingers crossed that Mercury Personal Communications will select an alternative mast site instead.

This week they held a meeting with a Mercury representative, and are organising a petition, which will be sent to the company and government ministers. They are also in the process of contacting the Local Government Ombudsman over the way they say the matter has been handled.

The one and a half hour meeting, in Millbrook scout hall, was attended by ten protesters, including Tessa Merrett, as well as Mercury community liaison officer Barry Turner-Smith. Afterwards Mercury spokesman, Nick Sharples, said the firm would take another look at sites in the area which had been rejected, but could not extend much hope that an alternative would be chosen.

Planning permission for the mast was given on January 5.

One chief concern among objectors is that they claim two phone masts are already sited near Torpoint community school. They say that, if the mast is erected on Blindwell Hill at a position 237 metres from the primary school, children will be exposed to emissions for around five years, before moving on to the community school - where the same problem will re-occur for what could be a further seven years. There are also fears that a third mast is proposed for a site near the senior school.

Carol Wright, whose children eight-year-old Tahnee and four-year-old Jason both attend Millbrook primary, said the level of feeling in the village is high, with residents of all ages supporting the campaign. She stressed that the protesters are not against mobile phones, but would just like to see the mast placed in a better site. She added that some mothers with children at pre-school were now concerned about sending their youngsters to the primary school. Support for the campaign has also come from Therese Porter, whose son Ross is a primary pupil, and who lives near the mast site, at Hounster.

Claire Richards, who also lives nearby, in Priesthood Terrace, was the first local person to see the Caradon notice regarding the planning application. She was taking her dog, Thomas, for a walk, and discovered it nailed to a post in a country lane that few people use. She contacted others, who began a poster campaign and held a public meeting. Letters were also sent to Caradon within the 42 days given for consultation, and, even after the mast was given the go-ahead, enough pressure was placed on Mercury for them to hold the recent meeting, also attended by local MP, Colin Breed. Mr Breed said: 'I am very disappointed Caradon council officials felt it not necessary to put this issue before the full planning committee and that they gave it clearance without referral to local councillors. As a number of sites were considered for Millbrook, I hope One 2 One will reconsider an alternative location.'

Mrs Merrett said that forms were being obtained to send in a complaint to the Ombudsman. She said that it was felt a decision was taken very quickly, and that, as the matter arose around Christmas time, it was difficult for residents to forward all objections in time. She added that Mercury have said the site was chosen following negotiations with Caradon council, but campaigners are certain a more appropriate site could have been pinpointed. The petition can be signed at the fish and chip shop in Millbrook, and the Widdicombe Fare shop.