COMMUNITIES worried about the possible health effects of a series of new 3G mobile phone masts across the Andover area have been making contact with each other to form a more united front against the structures.

In Anna Fields people are so concerned that a petition is being raised for presentation to the planning department of Test Valley Borough Council.

While at Charlton Mrs Rosalin Desborough says the borough council has received a large number of letters from people who object to the proposed mast near her home.

She has been contacted by people from Enham and Walworth who are now sharing information about the masts.

Brian Avis from Anna Fields, who is campaigning against the application at Balksbury Hill, says the new masts will become a common sight.

"There are likely to be a lot more needed than most people are aware, perhaps as many as between 50,000 and 100,000 to cover the country," he said.

In addition to health fears, visual intrusion and worries about the financial impact on property prices another worry concerning the impact on Britain's bat population has emerged.

Mr Avis said: "There is a local bat population in this area and there is evidence to suggest that bats have been flying into the masts because the signal interferes with their sonic guidance."