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Councillors ignored their officials on Wednesday to vote against a proposed mobile phone mast.

South Ribble Planning Committee rejected plans for the 14.7m 3G mast on farmland near a school and housing estate in Hoghton, Lancashire.

Planning officials had recommended the T-Mobile mast should be accepted.

However councillors decided against the phone mast on the grounds of siting and appearance. Residents and local MP Nigel Evans had opposed the plan.

'Unbelievable result'

Campaigner Chris Nelson said: "We're delighted, it's unbelievable."

He added that he hoped T-Mobile would not appeal against the decision.

The company was applying for determination, a process which allows masts under 15m to be built without planning permission as long as the local planning authority agrees.

No-one at T-Mobile was available for comment.