CAMPAIGNERS across the country who are fighting the introduction of new Tetra masts have won the backing of a European Parliament member but the company installing the system says things are going well.

The Tetra (terrestrial trunk radio) system is being introduced nationwide to provide a new national police radio network.

In total 3,000 masts are planned including one in Ludgershall where anxious residents have already launched a petition, held a protest meeting in the village and been in face-to-face contact with the area's MP Michael Ancram.

Now south east region MEP Caroline Lucas, a Green Party member, has called for an EU wide ban on the building of Tetra masts for police communications until fears over the safety of their radiation emissions have been answered.

"We are asking for an immediate halt to Tetra mast construction, right across the EU, and urgent research to plug the gaps in our knowledge of the effects of Tetra on human health, especially that of children," she said.

"People's concerns about the masts supplying these handsets are real and legitimate and must be allayed before further masts are built, not after another public health scare erupts."

The O2 company, part of MMO2, says the introduction of the Airwave system is going well and that more than 50,000 police officers are already using the advanced communications system and that figure is expected to double in the next 12 months.

Airwave gives the police a more reliable, secure and flexible communications system and enables officers to talk to each other easily, regardless of location - in times of emergency the company says the system will help to save lives.

With regard to the health concerns O2 says it recognises that concerns have been raised and it takes its responsibility very seriously.

The National Radiological Protection Board produces national and international guidelines and the company says the level of emissions from Airwave base stations is only 'tiny fractions of the guideline'. Between 120 and 130 Tetra masts are needed across Hampshire for complete coverage of the county and Andover MP Sir George Young says their installation has caused a 'great deal of concern'.

"We all want to be able to use mobile phones, but that doesn't mean we should allow the dumping of poorly-sited mobile phone masts in Hampshire on the cheap," said the MP.

"Scotland and Northern Ireland already have tougher rules, and there is a strong case for England and Wales to follow that example."