CAMPAIGNERS against mobile phone masts joined forces across Hampshire in a day of protest at the spreading forest of dishes and aerials allegedly sending out invisible rays causing death and illness.

Torchlight vigils were held, leaflets and posters distributed and petitions gathered by Hampshire Against Residential Masts (Harm).

The petitions will be taken to Westminster to present to housing minister Lord Faulkner this week in a bid to persuade the government to change planning law, so councils have, by law, to consider the health fears as an issue in granting or refusing consent.

A major awareness campaign in Hill Head, near Fareham, gathered about 1,000 signatures by householders who say their homes have been blighted and their health put at risk by a 15-metre high Orange company mast in a wildlife conservation area.

Residents on Old Street are now gearing up for a second fight against a 21-metre high mast by Vodafone close to the first one. The planning application, for a mast on West Meon Farm, will be considered by Fareham planners at a meeting on Wednesday, August 1.

The mast towers over the garden of John and Veronica Phillips, of Old Street.

Mr Phillips, 56, said: "The population as a whole is being used as guinea pigs as to the affect of thermal and magnetic radiation from these masts.

"The companies should be forced to carry out tests, like on drugs, before they are allowed licences to put them up in residential areas.

"The mobile phone companies have realised it is bad public relations to have them put up outside schools, so they don't do it any more.

"We lost the battle over the Orange mast that not only overlooks our garden and is an eyesore, but it's next to Titchfield Haven, an Area of Outstanding Landscape Quality.

"This is the tip of the iceberg. It is a test case to see what the companies can get away with. We can see it becoming a forest of masts once it's granted.''

Helena Wall, protest petition collector, said: "We can't understand how something so intrusive, ugly and large can be allowed in a bird haven. They say the masts fill in a gap in their reception area, but people here with phones don't notice it.

"Also, if we do have to have these masts and our health concerns are ignored, then why don't companies share masts? They are large enough.''

Rosemary, 61, and David Lang, 67, of Cuckoo Lane, Hill Head, said they thought money was taking priority over health.

Mrs Lang said: "While there is still unproven doubt about the health risks of transmitters then the precautionary approach should be taken and no masts allowed near homes.''

Judith Pope, of Winchester, added: "The problem is compounded by the billions of pounds the government took in licence fees for the next generation of phones. We want the government to put the health and concerns of the people first, but it has taken all this money.''