Controversial new masts are springing up across Hampshire as a new high-tech police radio system is set to be launched.

Altogether, 200 are needed and while some existing ones will be shared, applications are also being made for new masts.

Among the most controversial is a scheme for a 20-metre aerial in Beauworth.

Villager, Phil Gough, said: "My concern is first and foremost the health risk to myself and my family as the proposed site is just 100 yards from our house.

"But it is also close to the South Downs Way and is going to be an eyesore in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mr Gough (36), a company director, said about half the village had written letters of objection to Winchester planners.

"Airwave" will cost Hampshire Police between £3 and £4m to set up and £1.5m yearly to run. Nationally, the bill will be £2.5bn over 20 years.

The service is already operating in 11 forces and Hampshire will switch to it early next year.

Chief Inspector Mark Cooper, project manager for Hampshire Constabulary, said: "Airwave communications are digital and secure - they cannot be scanned or monitored by outsiders. Emergency buttons on handsets mean that officers will be able to summon urgent assistance without speaking."

The handsets will also be used in conjunction with data terminals to enable officers to access local and national databases.

But there are concerns that electromagnetic radiation emissions may pose a health risk.

The fear centres on the operating frequency of 17.6 Hz assigned to Tetra when the system was set-up.

It means it emits radiation in pulses occurring 17.6 times a second - a level scientists believe can penetrate deep into the brain, damaging cell communication.

The Stewart Report on mobile phone safety concluded that systems sending out frequencies around 16Hz should be avoided.

In a police pilot study in Lincolnshire, around 200 officers complained of suffering adverse reactions, including migraine, sleep disturbance, depression and skin irritation after using the handsets.

Inspector Cooper said a number of studies had been carried out and no direct link had been found between the health of the user and the new technology.

"However, we will continue to monitor this and, of course, prioritise the safety of our officers and the public."

An Airwave spokesman said only the handsets and not the masts operated on the 17.6 Hz frequency.

"Masts do not emit pulses but a continuous signal and they emit it at a level that is hundreds and thousands of times below international safety guidelines."

He said the company had permission for about one third of the 200 masts it needed.

The spokesman said there were quite a few areas in Hampshire, and, in particular, Winchester, where telecom masts had been difficult and resident protest groups formed.

"But, among the many councils we have dealt with, Winchester is the most co-operative, absolutely clear and consistent in its requirements, probably because of its experience."

Winchester planners have given the go-ahead for six masts - Vinnells Lane, West Meon; Raglington Farm, Curdridge; Rushmere Lane, Hambledon; the Hursley estate and Alresford Road, Avington; and Weston Court Farm, Bishop's Sutton, the latter being the only new one, the others being shared.

An application for one at Kings Worthy has been turned down.

Planners still have to consider applications for a mast share at South Wonston water tower site as well as the new mast at Beauworth.

In Winchester, a mast has been installed on the roof of the police HQ in Romsey Road under permitted development rights.

A city council spokesman said it was not known how many more applications would be received.