WYCHAVON councillors have voted to spend £800 on a study into possible health hazards from a mobile phone tower.

Dolphin Telecommunications wants permission to add three panel antennas and two microwave dishes to a water tower in Droitwich.

But the council wants a study into microwave levels sent out by the tower in a field behind Laurelwood Road, Primsland, which already houses several mobile phone dishes.

Councillor Keith Rogers joined a chorus of objection about the plans but acknowledged health grounds were not a reason for refusing planning permission.

"Can't we object to the plans on visual impact grounds?" he asked. "I can see it from my back garden and it's an eyesore."

But with the tower already festooned with masts and antenna, councillors said the new additions would make little difference.

The planning committee at Pershore yesterday voted to defer a decision pending the independent report.

A separate Government-sponsored report had failed to find any evidence of health problems posed by exposure to low-level radio waves.