VILLAGERS voiced strong objections to a second telephone mast near their homes at a parish meeting.

People in Powick, near Worcester, are worried about possible health risks from the 50ft mast proposed by Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd for a site at Bowling Green, Malvern Road.

Besides objecting on safety fears, it was pointed out that the trees said to screen the mast were not owned by the applicant and could be cut down in future.

One furious resident, Debbie Perry, of Bowling Green Road, said she had moved to Powick from Warndon Villages to get away from the proliferation of masts there.

"It will be practically in my back garden," she said.

"I have a young child and I don't want him to live by another mast."

She was one of about two dozen objectors at the meeting in the Parish Hall.

More than 100 other people had signed a petition against the mast, which is to include internal telecommunications antennae and a transmission dish.

Another mast, installed by Orange after permission was granted on appeal, is now shared by three other companies and there were fears that the second one could also be added.

Ian Gane, of The Drive, Colletts Green, Powick, asked why a second mast was needed and whether there would be any benefits for the people of Powick.

He questioned whether steps would be taken to monitor the health hazards of microwave emissions.

"Will this powerful mast blight the area and affect house prices in the future?" he asked, to applause from other residents.

Chris Taylor, also of The Drive, calculated that the highest intensity of emissions would hit the ground 405 metres away, near the village school.

"The stress of worrying about it would affect people's health," he said.

Only two out of seven council members voted to recommend refusal, while others abstained. It was agreed to report health fears to district planners.