MOBILE phone giants have launched a challenge to overturn a council decision which stopped four mobile phone masts going up in Wyre Forest.

Vodafone and Hutchinson 3G are appealing to the Planning Inspectorate against the Wyre Forest District Council rulings for masts at locations, including a Scout camp and two car firms.

Vodafone spokeswoman, Jane Frapwell, said the operator was optimistic about the appeals being a success, as such challenges were "not taken lightly".

She explained: "We only appeal where we feel we have a strong case - in other words, where we feel the site is a good one, the design is a good one and where we have no real alternative."

Concerns about health would not be an issue if the applications fell within planning guidelines, she added.

Vodafone is appealing over applications rejected for Rhydd Covert campsite in Kidderminster Road, Bewdley, GP Automotives at Greenhill Industrial Estate and Charlie Brown Auto Centre at Stourport Road, both in Kidderminster.

Hutchinson 3G, meanwhile, is appealing to have a 15-metre mast built behind the former Fountain Inn, in Low Habberley.

A 319-signature petition signed by residents opposed the plan, which was thrown out by the district council's planning (development control) committee in October.

Coningsby Drive resident, Doreen Payton, said: I think (Hutchinson 3G) should take it on the chin - it has been thrown out.

"We have to live in this area, the people from the phone company don't - they are just after big money. These are big companies and I think they are going to keep trying."

Speaking after the applications at the Scout camp and Low Habberley were thrown out, Labour councillors told October's meeting that the council had to be "consistent" in its treatment of mast bids.

Representations about the plans must be made by January 5 for the Scout and GP Automotives applications and January 7 for the Charlie Brown plan.

The deadline for comments about the Low Habberley application is January 14.

Write to: Wyre Forest District Council, Planning, Health and Environment, Duke House, Clensmore Street, Kidderminster, DY10 2JX.