PLANS to erect a 10-metre high telecommunications mast at an Abberley beauty spot have been withdrawn after furious protests by villagers.

More than 160 residents signed letters of objection to the plans by One 2 One to install a mast, antennae and equipment cabin at The Common, close to 20 houses.

It is the third time the company has failed in its bid to put up a mast at Abberley. The previous two applications were rejected by Malvern Hill District Council planners.

Resident Roger Palmer said: "We're over the moon." And he described the move as a tribute to 'people power,' with the vast majority of villagers opposing the mast.

A letter to residents from the district council last Friday said: "The notification has been withdrawn by the applicants due to problems that have risen due to the site notice being removed shortly after being posted on the site, and due to the level of opposition."

It added a future notification would be considered by One 2 One in due course and said the applicants were assessing possible measures to reduce the impact of any mast and the potential for an alternative site.

But Mr Palmer said residents would fight any move to install a modified mast at an alternative site.

Protests centred on the siting of the proposed mast in an area of "great landscape value" and fears about the possible impact of emissions on the health of residents living nearby.

Following representations by villagers, the annual parish meeting and parish council in Abberley wrote to Malvern Hills District Council planners outlining eight objections to the proposals on siting, appearance and defects in the application itself.