A LEADING scientist plans to carry out new research in North Yorkshire into possible links between high voltage power lines and cancer.

Professor Denis Henshaw wants to set up monitoring equipment under an overhead cable on a farm near Northallerton to conduct the health study.

His proposal comes as construction begins on the controversial new 50-mile line of pylons between Shipton-by-Beningbrough, near York, and Teesside.

Prof Henshaw, of Bristol University, was due to visit Derek and Sally Brass's farm at Thimbleby this afternoon to discuss the idea of erecting the equipment on their land.

He was also due to meet Tory leader William Hague, whose constituency includes their property, Thimbleby Grange Farm, and who says he has always been concerned about possible links between power lines and cancer.

Mr Hague said: "All new evidence that becomes available about a possible link needs looking at carefully and thoroughly. I will be interested to discuss this matter with Prof Henshaw, and will be taking a keen interest in his future research of this very important issue."

Fears that mobile phone masts on top of schools are bombarding pupils with high levels of radiation were dismissed in a report today. The study by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) found that roofs soaked up the radiation emitted by masts, so that levels absorbed by children inside classrooms were very low.

In fact, in some tests, pupils were found to be absorbing more radiation from masts more than 300 yards away than from the one on the roof of their classroom.