RESIDENTS of a North Yorkshire beauty spot have staged a protest against a communications mast set to be erected near their homes.

Liz McCabe and Shirley-Ann Collier headed a 25-strong group protesting against the BT mast at Cote Hill farm, Farndale.

The protesters claim that invisible electromagnetic radiation from the mast, on which work has already started, could endanger the health of residents and users.

And they fear that the 15-metre monopole with antennae, microwave dish and equipment cabin will harm the sensitive National Park area, famed for its daffodils.

The mast will provide coverage for new police radios and is part of the national Airwave programme, supported by the Home Office.

Mobile phone users will not benefit from the mast but other emergency services may eventually join the system.

Liz, 38, who has two young children, said: "We believe the pulse signal from this mast will pose a danger to people's health and the environment.

"Until proper, independent research is done proving that this is safe we do not want to see the mast put up.

"We will contact the National Park Authority to tell them that we will hold them legally responsible for any health problems that arise that are attributable to the mast."

Shirley-Ann, 54, added: "We will watch and wait, if there is a chance for us to challenge the installation we will take it."

A spokesperson for BT said the system was already in use in parts of Europe.

"The best scientific advice, from the National Radiological Protection Board, concluded that there are unlikely to be any risks to health from mobile transmissions," he added.

Les Coverdale, of North Yorkshire Police Federation, said it would be a "cause for concern" if users of the new system were shown to be in danger.

Updated: 08:10 Wednesday, November 14, 2001