A NURSE is spearheading a campaign to prevent a mobile phone mast being put up on her street.

Atherton resident Jane Woodward was horrified when she discovered a telecommunications company want to install a tower, antenna and microwave dishes on top of the telephone exchange opposite her Thomas Street home.

Jane, 34, a senior sister at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, has a five year old daughter and is concerned the equipment will badly affect the health of local people.

So far more than 100 Atherton residents have signed a petition objecting to the plans at The Bacca Shop newsagents on Bolton Old Road and Jane has been distributing leaflets informing people of the plans.

Jane, who has lived in Thomas Street for nine years, said: "I just have very serious concerns over the possible health risks. Nothing has been proved one way or the other as to whether they are dangerous or not, so they should not be built so close to a residential area."

If plans are approved by council panning chiefs the equipment will be 50 metres from the nearest house in Thomas Street.

Single mum Jane says this is too close for comfort.

She said: "Parklee Primary School is close by, a supermarket is over the road and we are in spitting distance of the main street in Atherton."

Thomas Street residents are also worried the equipment--which Jane describes as looking like a "monstrosity" will hit them in their pockets.

Jane said: "Having a big mast in close proximity will no doubt have an effect on the saleability and value of our homes."

Maidenhead based Hutchison 3G UK say the equipment would form an integral part of their National telecommunications network.

They state in a planning application submitted to the council that despite a comprehensive search of the area they were unable to find a suitable greenfield site. They found no other rooftops were suitable either.

The company need a radio base station in Atherton where existing radio strength is insufficient for indoor, outdoor and in-car coverage.

The company added a rooftop was chosen to minimise visual impact and a small cabinet is also planned to make the equipment easier on the eye.

The proposed equipment and installation is in full compliance with requirements of the radio frequency public exposure guideline of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNRP).

A Wigan Council spokesman said the health and safety position they took regarding telecommunications equipment was determined by the government's stance.

He said it was the government view that if the proposed development meets the ICNRP guidelines it should be considered as safe.

Local residents have 28 days to register their complaints.