MORE than 1,000 residents have signed a petition opposing plans to site a 75ft mobile phone mast near their homes.

Worried people in Feniscowles are now lobbying Blackburn with Darwen Council before a decision is made next month.

The application, made on behalf of communication giant O2, is for a mast and base station on a footpath next to the Three Arches, a grade two listed disused railway bridge in Preston Old Road.

Campaigner Ian Simm, of Preston Old Road, said: "The mast will be within 150 metres of St Paul's Primary School, and another primary school, two nursery schools, and three churches are within close proximity.

"No one can assure us that there are no health risks from these masts, so they should be erected away from people's homes -- not on a footpath that children use daily to get to, and from, school."

Residents are also concerned the footpath will be lost if the mast is erected, fearing they will be forced to walk their children to school along the hazardous main road.

Edna Ingham, of Sunnyside Avenue, said she would be worried for the health and safety of her grandchildren if the mast gets the go-ahead. She said: "There are two schools nearby and we still do not know the health hazards from living so close to these masts.

"If the council does not listen to us, we can always refuse to pay our council tax."

Steve Hoyle, the council's assistant director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods, said: "The council has not yet formed a decision on this application. Should it eventually be considered by the planning and highways committee, the next available time would not be until November 25.

"Any objections will, of course, be considered as part of the planning process."

Anne McCracken, regional communications manager for O2, said: "There is a lot of misinformation about mobile phone masts. They use radio waves, like radio stations or taxis, and pose no risks to health."