WINCHESTER phone mast campaigners are making final preparations for their High Noon showdown.

They are returning to the Court of Appeal in London to attempt to overturn a planning inspector's decision to allow the mast in Byron Avenue, Fulflood.

The campaigners have been battling against the plans by Orange for the land for nearly four years, making it possibly the longest anti-mast campaign in the country.

They say the 39-foot structure is too close to Western Primary School and that children may be harmed by radiation.

Karen Barratt, campaign spokesman, said: "It's been expensive in time and money but if it helps protect our children from harm it will be worth it."

Two local mothers, Caroline St.Leger Davey, of Chilbolton Avenue, and Diane Harrison, of Poets Way, will return to court on November 11 and 12 to fight the High Court ruling which upheld a planning inspector's decision in Orange's favour.

The Byron Avenue appeal is scheduled to be heard at the same time as a case from Yorkshire in which the government will appeal against a High Court ruling which overturned a planning inspector's decision against a mast near three schools. Campaigners describe the linking of the two cases as bizarre.

Mrs Barratt said: "It demonstrates just how crazy the whole mast planning system is.

"The Harrogate ruling is being challenged because John Prescott says perceived health risks should have been taken into consideration but his own department's guidance encourages planners and inspectors to do the opposite.

"It should make for a very interesting day in court," she said.