RESIDENTS are angry about plans for a mobile phone mast in Charlestown, which they fear could put children's lives at risk.

Mobile phone provider Vodafone has asked Restormel Borough Council for permission to erect a 12m-high monopole on land owned by the county council at the junction of Crinnis and Church Road.

Even though guidelines say phone masts should not be erected within 400m of a school, the site is within 200m of Charlestown Primary School.

The plans were discussed at a packed public meeting held last week to debate the proposed closure of Charlestown post office. Vodafone was invited to attend, but its representatives said they had insufficient notice to do so.

Residents' association chairman Malcolm Neill said: "There has been strong and vigorous opposition to this proposal from when we first heard of it in June. Last week's meeting was unanimously against it."

Though Vodafone says the plans comply with international guidelines on public exposure to radio frequencies, many residents fear that radio signals and electromagnetic fields from such masts can penetrate the brain, particularly of young people.

Mr Neill said: "There has also been talk in the national media about possible links between the high number of masts near Bridgend in Wales and the terrible number of young people who have killed themselves in the town. Such fears may be unfounded, but we want to be cautious for the sake of our own young people.

"The main buildings of the school are close to the proposed site and they have recently created an outdoor classroom in their grounds. The mast would also be close to the playgroup that is held every morning in premises on Church Road.

"Children's safety has to be our priority."

Residents are also worried that the site of another mast is being proposed, even though there are still problems over an existing mast at neighbouring Bethel. Public consultation on the proposed Charlestown mast ends on August 27 and Restormel planners are expected to consider the application in September.