A CAMPAIGN to prevent the installation of a 15 metre high mobile phone mast at Saltash has won the day - soon after protesters started organising themselves to oppose the mast being erected near their housing estate.

The residents of Latchbrook banded together after Spectra Site Transco applied to Caradon council to erect the mast near their estate, despite there being a large swathe of industrial land, not very far away, where they maintained it would be more suitably sited.

Support had come from local MP, Colin Breed of Saltash, but earlier this week Caradon council planning office was contacted by the company who said it was withdrawing its application. Mr Breed said afterwards: 'I am pleased that the company has realised that this is an inappropriate location for the mast.' He has previously been involved in similar battles at Fowey, and at Millbrook.

One of the residents who had joined the protest was John Casey of Butterdown, who had highlighted the well documented health fears regarding radiation from such masts, especially with young children living on the estate. He said although they were not proven the fears remain a real issue. However, the fact that the mast site was also at a Transco gas pumping station, was also a concern.

The BT Cellnet mast, with two dishes and six antennae, would have been erected at the junction of Liskeard Road and Yellow Tor Road. Before hearing the good news Mr Casey said of the proposal: 'Everyone is absolutely astonished, and very concerned that people would consider siting this mast so close to homes. It seems little or no thought has been given to where they were going to place it - especially when there is such a great amount of industrial land nearby.'

Another resident, Michelle Boniface, pointed out her fears for children on the estate, and added the mast would be very visible from a long way off. She said after the application had been withdrawn, that it was a victory for 'people power'.