RESIDENTS who lost a battle two years ago to stop a mobile phone mast being placed just yards from their homes are now embroiled in another fight.

People living in Hardwicke Close, St John's, were distraught when a 17.5m Vodafone mast was erected on the Hylton Road industrial estate opposite their houses in 2004. Now another company, O2, has submitted plans for a mast of the same size on the same site.

And despite letters of protest from most of the people living in the street, it looks as though Worcester City Council will accept this one too.

Planning officers have recommended the local authority's planning committee grant approval when it meets this Thursday, February 2.

Phil Stokes, of Hardwicke Close, led a campaign then and is once again at the forefront of the opposition.

He said: "I think it is disgraceful that they are even contemplating another mast when they knew the strength of feeling last time.

"It is not a pretty view from here anyway, with the various buildings on the industrial estate, without another mast.

"There is also the health issue. Councils won't usually allow a mast near a school, but it is OK to have one near houses where children live, and near to adults - we are not important.

"I also don't think it is an efficient spot for a mast as it is at the bottom of a slope and that cannot be the best place to give or receive signals."

Neighbour Pat Barnes was equally exasperated. She said: "No one knows for sure how much these masts affect health and if, in years to come, there is some solid proof of ill-effects, it will be too late for us.

"Also, if this one is given the go-ahead, what is to stop a third or a fourth one being put up."

The mast would be just metres away from the Worcester News office and from Worcester Fire Department's maintenance garage, but neither said it was bothered by the plans.

The council is expected to request O2 put in place a planting scheme to shield the mast from the view of residents in Hardwicke Close as a condition of approval.