BANNER-waving residents will march on Burnley town hall tonight to demand council bosses pull the plug on plans for an even bigger mobile phone mast near their homes.

Opposition to a move by phone operators Orange and BT Cellnet to replace a 46ft high mast near Cornfield Grove, off Padiham Road, with a 65ft-high tower, has drawn widespread support, with local schools, Ightenhill parish council and environmental groups solidly against the move.

Now residents, who also raised a 230-name petition objecting to the proposal, believe they are on the point of victory, with planning officers urging the development control committee to throw out the application tonight.

Although householders and nearby St Joseph's School have raised strong concerns over the effect of radio waves from the masts on the health of young children, officers say health risks cannot be taken into consideration when deciding the issue.

But they have given several other reasons to support their recommendation to councillors to refuse the application.

They say the mast would be situated in the green belt and "would be prominent, intrusive and harmful" to its open character.

They add the tower would be overbearing on nearby homes.

Worried residents say the new mast "bristling with extra antennae" was aimed to replace an existing 45 feet mast which was put up under permitted development without consultation with neighbours three years ago.

Self employed builder Stephen Wakeford, of Laburnum Close, who will address the meeting said: "It is on land near to the bottom of my garden. Every window at the back of our house frames it."

His wife Sheila added: "Apart from the mast being completely overbearing, people are very concerned about the safety aspects.

"We just hope the committee refuses it," she added.

Local county councillor Marcus Johnstone will also address councillors tonight to support residents in their fight, said: "I was horrified when I saw the plans for this monstrosity.

"The proposal is completely out of order and I am supporting the residents all the way on this."