Villagers in West Felton have formed a protest group to try to stop a mobile phone mast being switched on in their area. Campaigners were knocking on doors yesterday, collecting signatures for a petition.

The 50-foot structure was put up near The Avenue in the village near Oswestry in September by mobile phone giant Orange.

Local people, who knew nothing of the plans, fear that it could pose a health risk. They say it is already a blot on the landscape.

Oswestry Borough Council says Orange went through all the proper legal channels in 2002 to get permission for the 15-metre high 3G mast, although new rules mean that councils now have to inform people near mast sites when they are about to be put up.

Protestor Carol Corbett said: “We are fighting for the total dismantling and removal of the mast and have organised a meeting in our village hall on January 18 at 7.30pm.”

“Our MP Owen Paterson is giving us his support and has agreed to present the petition for us.”

The full version of this story appears in the Oswestry edition of tonight’s Shropshire Star.

http://www.shropshirestar.com/show_article.php?aID=40249