TEST Valley planners have been left in little doubt over the strength of feeling against new phone masts set to sprout up in the Andover area.

On Wednesday Brian Avis and Rose Desborough each handed in petitions from their areas containing a total of 547 signatures to Cllr Derrick Roach, the borough council portfolio holder for environmental matters.

Both were concerned not enough people have been informed the masts were under discussion and not enough time has been given for people to submit objections.

Mrs Desborough, from Charlton, said: "The council has given no proof that it is safe to site a mast inside an electricity sub-station - they have a duty of care to their residents.

"Should the council be adding to the unsightly clutter that is already in the area, rather than attempting to reduce existing eyesores?"

Brian Avis, who objects to the mast at Balksbury Hill, said the majority of residents were against the masts and the local council should reflect local opinion. "We are concerned that central government has received many billions of pounds from the mobile phone companies for 3G licences with, we believe, the possibility of being sued if they now interfere with mast rollout," he said.

Government has told planners in policy guidance that masts are not a health risk if certain standards are met. Several councils have since been stung financially at appeal when decisions to reject masts on health grounds have been overturned.

Mr Roach said: "People still have time to write in with their objections and letters are a lot better than petitions.

But the real power lay with government policymakers and Mr Roach urged people to lobby MPs if they wanted things changed.