THE vast majority of people responding to a survey on mobile phone masts said they would object to applications to site masts within 500 metres of their properties.

Almost as many, however, owned up to having mobile phones.

The findings were part of the feedback from the survey questionnaire, published in the Shuttle/Times and News in December, on behalf of Wyre Forest District Council.

The council carried out the exercise to assess the impact of the mobile phone industry on the district and help councillors make recommendations to benefit residents.

Fifty completed questionnaires were submitted, with most respondents - 94 per cent - aged over 40 and three-quarters having lived in Wyre Forest for 20 years or more.

Although 84 per cent confirmed they had a mobile phone, 88 per cent said they would oppose phone mast applications within 500 metres of where they lived and within a similar distance of a school.

Only 16 per cent of people answering the questionnaire did not own a mobile phone. They were all over 55 and, generally, retired. Their main reasons for not having a mobile phone were not needing one and health concerns.

Two-thirds - 66 per cent - of respondents said they used their phones mainly for personal calls but only for up to a minute at a time.

Just six per cent of people who used them on a regular basis believed headaches and ear problems they experienced were due to their mobiles.

Health worries were also cited as the main reason for opposition to mobile phone masts - by 42 per cent of people - while the main concern of 21 per cent was visual impact.

Twenty-two per cent believed phone masts would reduce the value of their homes.