THE arguments for and against the siting of phone masts on street corners have been well rehearsed over the past few years.

As the phone-hugging British public have come to love their mobiles with a passion, the need for more of these unsightly poles has created an ever-increasing area of conflict.

People want to hear those Crazy Frog ringtones going off - but they don't want to see the masts out of their windows.

The most emotive reason for objecting revolves around the fact that no one has yet proved that masts are safe.

Warndon Villages resident Jo Potts has, perhaps, more reason than most to fear the imminent arrival of an O2 mast near her home. As someone who has fought leukaemia, she is concerned for her own health and that of her two children - especially as the mast is to be sited close to Lyppard Grange school.

City councillors, however, should not be blamed for granting planning permission for masts in residential areas.

Government rules dictate that they are only able to refuse permission on aesthetic grounds - a suitably vague criteria that would, inevitably, mean any refusal is turned over on appeal.

We believe that the rules should be changed.

Councils should be given the power to refuse permission for masts to be put up in residential areas - at least until it can be conclusively proved that they do not pose any health risk to us or future generations.