A 3G mobile phone mast has been put up in the middle of Droitwich town centre without consultation, a councillor claims.

Town councillor Richard Morris said he was outraged to discover a Hutchinson 3G mast on top of Worcestershire County Council's building in Ombersley Street East.

The mast did not need planning permission as it was under 48 ft or 15 metres high, but Coun Morris said not enough was yet known of the dangers of such masts and it was the county council's moral obligation to protect residents from possible health risks.

"I regard this as a stealth mast," he said. "These masts just appear from nowhere and no one has a say on the matter unless they are over a certain height.

Ridiculous

"It is ridiculous to allow such a mast right in the middle of the town without appearing to take any of the potential health risks to residents into account."

A county council spokesman said an independent company had carried out a risk assessment on the mast before it was erected.

"The assessment was to ensure there was minimal risk not only to the public but also officers working within the building," he said.

"We are more than aware of the current debate surrounding the safety of masts in the community and we're glad that Coun Morris has reminded us of our responsibilities.

"We will continue to monitor the situation."