CAMPAIGNERS are demanding that plans for a mobile phone mast be scrapped.

Phone company Vodafone has earmarked a site close to homes in a Rossendale village.

But people living in Cowpe have launched a petition, calling for the mast proposals to be thrown out by council planning chiefs.

Their action comes amid concerns that mobile phone masts pose possible health risks and that the the 15-metre high structure under consideration would be a blot on the landscape.

Villagers have collected a petition with more than 200 names.

Coun Marlene Crosta, who lives in Cowpe Road, near to where the proposed mast would be situated, has helped organise the campaign.

The Whitewell councillor said: "Nobody wants the mast here. Everyone we've spoken to is against it.

"It would be an eyesore. We have a wonderful view from homes but the mast would spoil it.

"We're also worried about the health risks that it could involve.

"We understand that phone masts are needed to give people with mobiles coverage but they shouldn't be put on our doorsteps.

"There are other locations like in fields which would be more suitable."

But the phone company has hit back, claiming the scheme was vital to providing a good service to customers.

A spokesman for Vodafone said: "We do appreciate that some people do have concerns about these stations and we try to balance that with our requirement to supply a mobile phone service.

"Without masts mobile phones won't work. We try and keep visual impact to a minimum.

"The mast is vital for coverage and capacity reasons to ensure that customer's have a seamless service.

"All of our new base stations comply with international guidelines on exposures designed to protect the public."

Campaigners fighting plans for other masts have had to campaign on the basis that the masts are an eyesore - government planning guidelines do not yet accept health concerns as a valid reason for turning plans down.

Rossendale Council's development control committee will discuss the plans at the next meeting on April 27.