RESIDENTS have bitterly accused Preston council of cashing in on mobile phone masts and putting profits before public health.

The accusation follows national newspaper reports last week that linked mobile phone masts with serious birth defects by scientists in Germany.

Tulketh Road resident Hanif Omar, pictured at his house whice overlooks Prospect Place, Ashton, has been campaigning tirelessly to stop a mobile phone mast going up on his doorstep.

In August, The Citizen exposed how the council was planning to erect a mobile phone mast on Prospect Place, despite the area being classed as a conservation area.

Hanif, 43, said: "The situation at Prospect Place is worrying as I live next door.

"I can see this whole thing turning in to a BSE-type fiasco, with the government admitting they got it wrong years down the line."

Residents have organised a 500-strong petition aimed at forcing a council U-turn and Larches councillor Joe Fitzgerald has called on Preston council committee councillors to resign for not listening to evidence produced on safety aspects. He said: "We should take findings seriously and stop dithering over placing profits before public health.

"I urge again, if this council chooses to ignore the fact new evidence has been found which links to both cancer and birth defects, the people of Preston living near masts should sue the council if they can prove they have suffered any serious health effects."

Councillor Andy Campbell, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: "Councillor Fitzgerald has not supplied the Council with his new suggested evidence.

"Earlier this year the Stewart Report concluded there were no adverse health effects from the current operation of mobile phone masts. We are, however, keeping the matter under review, but have to follow UK guidelines.

"It will be interesting to see what the Government and National Radiological Protection Board make of councillor Fitzgerald's claims."