A GRANDAD has pledged to stop his children visiting him if a phone company is given permission to put a mast "at the top of my garden".

David Darby, 66, has joined the protest against the proposed O2 mast, at Godson Crescent in Kidderminster.

He said: "My grandchildren mean more to me and I am not going to have (phone companies) sticking these masts willy-nilly on this deprived area. We have got enough problems already.

"I will stop my grandchildren coming because it is planted in our minds that they are not healthy."

The Summer Road resident - who has signed a petition opposing the plan - went on: "It will be at the top of my garden - it will be an eyesore for me. I think it is also going to devalue our properties.

"It is absolutely disgusting that they can just put them up - it is wrong. They should have a bit of thought where they put them."

Conservative district councillor for Oldington and Foley Park, Nathan Desmond, has launched the petition which, he said, had gathered more than 150 signatures.

The siting of the mast was totally inappropriate and was "10 yards" away from Binder's Supermarket in Godson Crescent, he explained.

He said: "I have never come across such an emotive siting as this one. This is the most unsuitable siting you can ever think of.

"From the residents' point of view, they are very concerned about the perceived health risks."

The application will be decided by the planning (development control) committee at Wyre Forest District Council.

The committee regularly has to decide on mast applications as operators move to meet their legal requirement to have 80 per cent of the UK covered by 2007 for the next generation 3G service.

It can take concerns about health into account but guidance said these should "not, on balance, be given sufficient weight to form a reason for refusal".

The council risks losing thousands of pounds in legal costs if a phone company wins an appeal at the Planning Inspectorate against a mast refusal.

Another district council, in South Hams, Devon, had to fork out £80,000 after its rejection of a mast on health grounds was overturned.