RESIDENTS are celebrating after blocking a mobile phone giant's bid to put up telecommunications equipment on a historic building.

Councillors refused Orange's plan to install six phone masts, radio transmitters and microwave dishes at the Grade Two listed Leigh Spinners carpet manufacturing building in Park Lane.

Council chiefs received 166 letters of objection against the plans.

Planners hoped to paint the equipment the same colour as the brickwork but councillors refused the plans, saying the masts would be unsightly.

Resident Edna Swinburn, of nearby Greendale Crescent, said the site was close to Bedford High School, a number of children's nurseries and was surrounded by homes.

Mrs Swinburn spoke at Tuesday's planning committee meeting on behalf of local residents and Bedford High School's Parent Teacher Association.

She said later: "These companies are just not interested in the health of children or the devaluation of property in the area.

"Everybody feared it could increase the risk of cancer. It has not been proved that it does not increase the risks and we feel that it was a real victory. It gives people some hope to know that we can help block these types of application."

A council spokesman said the application had been refused on the grounds it would be harmful to the visually amenity.

An Orange spokesman said: "Orange is disappointed by the decision to refuse the proposed telecommunications installation. We are now reviewing our options. We choose sites that meet our technical needs, our customers' coverage requirements, and that comply with all planning and environmental regulations."