MORE than 200 people have signed a petition against plans to erect six phone antennas in a conservation area and among some of the Spa's most historic buildings.

The controversial scheme, submitted by the mobile phone company Orange, has sparked off fears from townspeople about the affect it will have on tourism in the town.

The application is for six antennae, which are 13.15 metres high, and three dishes to be placed on the Telephone Exchange roof, in Worcester Road.

At Droitwich Spa's Town Council planning meeting on Monday night, town councillors backed the public and voted for the plans to be refused.

The application will now go on to full council at Wychavon District Council where the petition will be presented and the application will be discussed by district councillors, who will have the final say on the scheme.

Stephanie Hemmens, a St George's Crescent resident who began the petition said: "To let the plans go ahead would be in contrast to Droitwich's aims of promoting tourism, preserving the surroundings of historic buildings and protecting a conservation site."

At Monday's meeting, councillors agreed that there was a place for the antennas but not at the end of the Spa's High Street, in a built up area.