Billericay residents have launched a campaign to stop a mobile phone mast being put up near their homes.

People in Potash Road, Billericay, say they are desperate to stop Mercury Communications installing the signal transmitter just 50m from their houses.

New European research has recommended masts should be positioned at least 200m from houses because of the health risks, which are reported to include cancer.

Resident Terry Dodge is busy knocking on doors to urge his neighbours to object to the plans in writing to Basildon Council.

The father-of-two said: "The tower will be just 50m from my back door. I have already put my letter of objection into the council and I am delivering 300 copies of it to surrounding residents to try to get them to write in too.

"The mast will be right in the middle of houses and will dominate the area. There's a highly probable health risk and it will considerably devalue all houses prices in the area.

"Quite a large number of us are willing to sit at the entrance to the site to stop them bringing their equipment in and putting up the mast. That's how strongly we feel about it."

The 52-year-old added that he would be contacting local councillors to ask them to also put the pressure on.

The mast, complete with dishes, is set to go up on July 26 on vacant land owned by Anglian Water, if Basildon Council approves the application.

A council spokesman said: "Normally masts of 15m would be permitted development and not require planning permission.

"Mercury has chosen to put in an application and we will be looking into it and making recommendations."

A Mercury spokeswoman said: "There is no scientific proof there is any danger from masts and they are safe as far as we are concerned. A report published last year by scientists came to the same conclusion.

"We are advised by the National Radiographical Protection Board and are well within the guidelines."

Residents in Tye Common Road, Billericay, have lost their fight to stop a Vodafone mast being put up 100m from their homes.

Work began on Monday but locals have organised a petition to send to the firm in the hope it will relocate the tower.

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