Kiddermister Shuttle

VICTORIOUS residents are celebrating after persuading councillors to throw out plans for a third mobile phone mast close to their homes.

Several hundred people mounted a forceful campaign against their neighbourhood, around Stourport Road , being turned into a "dumping ground for masts."

This week, the district council's planning development control committee voted against an officer's recommendation for approval and refused the bid by 02 to build a 15m mast behind Charlie Brown's Autos, off Lisle Avenue.

Protest co-ordinator, Anita Gallagher, of Communities Against Mobile Masts, said residents were "overjoyed" by the decision and she thanked all those involved.

More than 100 protest letters, a 635-named petition and postcards with pictures showing how residents felt the area had already been blighted by a Vodafone mast in the same location had been sent to councillors.

Mrs Gallagher, whose home in Hospital Lodge is 130m from the site, said: "We are not a dumping ground for mobile masts."