COUNCILLORS have pledged to find suitable places on industrial land for mobile phone masts after protests by residents near the latest proposed site.

More than 80 people packed into St Peter's Social Club, Mill Hill, for a public meeting last night against the erection of a 15 metre Vodaphone mast in Cavalier Carpets' car park, off Markham Road.

Many expressed fears that microwave radiation from the mast could affect their children's health, as some scientists believe it can trigger cancer.

Mick Ashcroft, who lives on Markham Road only yards from the planned site, said: "We are worried because there are always children playing in Cavalier Carpets' yard and climbing on its roof. Children are going to end up climbing on the mast." He said the mast would also affect house prices and residents planned a petition and letter writing campaign to the council.

Groups in Mellor and Cherry Tree have recently successfully protested against masts and several residents said the council should work with mobile phone firms to find suitable sites instead of just reacting to companies' proposals.

Sharon Challenger, who lives in Witton, said she was worried that the mast could affect her son Glynn, who still has regular check-ups after recovering from leukaemia.

She said: "Research shows that the radiation from the masts can affect white blood cells and cause leukaemia."

Blackburn with Darwen council leader Malcolm Doherty, who attended the meeting, said he was against telecommunication masts in residential areas.

He said: "We ought to develop a strategy about what we can do about this in the long term. Industrial areas are the appropriate places for them. If we identify sites, we can tell mobile phone companies about them when they approach us."

Picture: Markham Road residents speak to Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Malcolm Doherty (centre) at the public meeting held at St Peter's RC Church Social Centre, Mill Hill, Blackburn.