A new multi-million pound police radio network is to be expanded to cover the Malvern area.

Planning applications have been submitted by BT Quadrant for two 20ft radio masts, antennas and equipment cabins in Spring Lane South and at Birtsmorton.

The masts will serve West Mercia's new state-of-the-art digital radio service, which should be up and running by October.

The aim of the new system, believed to be the most advanced of its kind in the World, is to improve communications between the police and other emergency services.

Tests are currently being carried out on the system in Lancashire, where it is being piloted, following fears that the system could interfere with hospital equipment.

David Powell, West Mercia programme manager for the radio system, said he was confident any problems would be ironed out by the time the radios are introduced in October.

"We're aware of these issues and we're also aware that the manufacturers and other experts are actively working on seeking solutions to any problems which may have been identified," he said.

BT spokesman Paul Dorrell said that for the radio system to be effective they needed 100 per cent coverage of the area.

"The coverage by these masts is only a few miles because they operate at extremely low power, hundreds of times lower than most masts, so they are lower than safety levels and they are no hazards associated with them," he said.

"Obviously, we want to keep the impact on the environment as low as possible. So, if we can share mast sites, we will do so, but we do have to have maximum coverage."