OUTRAGED Winchester mast campaigners believe mobile phone giant Orange is in a state of denial after it pressed ahead with plans despite a High Court challenge.

Two angry mothers launched an appeal against the plan to install a new mast near their children's school last week.

But despite this an Orange agent has been spotted by Byron Avenue residents discussing the fate of the trees on the site.

"Orange seem to be in a state of denial," said leading campaigner, Karen Barratt. "We know that the case won't be heard for some months. I'm sure the owners won't want their beautiful trees hacked about while a court case is ongoing. If the decision is quashed, the whole mast issue will have to be reconsidered anyway."

An Orange spokesman said: "A judge has to look at the application and may throw it out straight away before any submission of evidence. Before a judge has agreed judicial review should go ahead, there is no good reason for us to change our plans. The planning inspectorate imposed conditions on us including liasing with the local authority over specific details on the site and that's what we are doing.'' Winchester City Council planning chiefs initially turned down the application for the mast in March 2002. Orange appealed against the decision prompting a public inquiry into the council's decision.

Earlier this year Orange won the right to go ahead with its mast after the government's planning inspectorate ruled the council's decision to refuse the application had been wrong.

Last week Winchester City Council decided not to challenge that ruling because of financial reasons, so two parents stepped in to keep up the fight.

The first objector is Caroline St Leger-Davey of Chilbolton Avenue on behalf of her daughter Phoebe. The second mum is Diane Harrison of Poets Way on behalf of her son James.

Both parents lodged their appeal at the High Court, citing the mast as a potential health risk to children at Western Primary School in Fulflood and that it will also be an eyesore.

A large crowd held a silent protest when Orange agent, David Holmes, previously visited to choose a colour scheme for the 39ft mast.

One resident, David Taylor, said: "Orange must be mad if they think they can sneak in and out and do things without anyone noticing."