A PROTEST against telephone masts is to be held on the town hall steps in Burnley.

The action has been organised by a newly formed group, Together Against Masts, set up by Padiham pensioner Dennis Cannon.

He said: "We will be lobbying councillors outside the town hall before the start of the full council meeting on Wednesday."

Campaigners from various parts of the borough plan to join the protest. Mr Cannon said: "Any groups concerned at the proliferation of these masts and the possible health risks are asked to come along and 'bring your own banners'".

Mr Cannon who was elected as chairman at the inaugural meeting of the new group, will be speaking on the issue in the council chamber.

He said: " Our main purpose is to try to persuade the local council to adopt a user friendly policy.

"We want to try to make it clear to everyone the potential dangers from these things."

He said the whole town would soon be saturated by the low frequency microwave masts.

They wanted the council to either adopt the American guidelines of not having a mast within 250 metres of a residential property or to impose a moratorium on masts until such time as the health issue has been resolved.

At a meeting of the council's development control and highways sub-committee on Tuesday applications will be considered for masts at Ashworth House, Manchester Road, Burnley, at Aero Industrial Technologies Ltd, Villiers Street, Burnley and at Livingstone Mill, Cameron Street, Burnley.

Staff and parents at Elm Street nursery school and Barden infants schools have signed a petition protesting at the Livingstone Mill proposal saying that the health risks from the masts is an issue still under debate.

Ward councillors and British Waterways has also expressed concerns.