Villagers have been warned they could lose their church if controversial phone mast proposals are not accepted.

Tears were shed during a passionate meeting of the church council in Shipton-by-Beningbrough, with the majority of the 30 present voicing disapproval of plans to put a mobile phone mast inside the church spire.

Originally, only mothers of children attending the playgroup at Shipton-by-Beningbrough had been invited to last night's parochial church council meeting at the Church of the Holy Evangelist, but other villagers found out about it and also attended.

Despite the Rev Martin Harrison's plea for the meeting to be a "chance to listen" a number of residents, concerned that the pulsed microwave radiation beams emitted from mobile phone masts could affect their children's health, lost their tempers.

"I would rather see the church fall down than one of our children get ill," said Sue Beckington, who lives just 75 yards from the church. "This issue is dividing the village it is definitely going to have an effect on community spirit."

It was disclosed at the meeting that Vodafone was to pay the church £3,700 a year for three years for allowing the mast to be installed. The company has also offered to renovate the path to the church.

The extra income the mast would bring in has been cited as the main reason for allowing it and the money will help with maintenance of the building as well as community projects and charities.

"This church will close in five years without extra funding," said warden and treasurer Pat Fleming. "The font is falling over and the roof is leaking. We sent out 500 envelopes on gift day last year and got only 34 back. People are apathetic to this church."

Rev Harrison, whose two children have mobile phones, said the comments made would be "reflected on" at the next parish church council meeting next week.

Mobile phone company Vodafone has applied to install the mast and a Hambleton District Council planning committee is due to make a decision on February 1.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, January 26, 2001