Residents are rallying support for a mass campaign to object to a mobile phone mast being erected near their homes.

People living in and near Potash Road, Billericay, are trying to halt a bid by Mercury Communications to put up the pole metres from their homes.

Their objections come amid fears over of the effects of radiation and a recent European recommendation that masts should be at least 200 metres from houses.

On Saturday residents met with local and county councillors to voice their arguments and plan their next moves.

They want more worried residents to join the 200-plus who have already written to Basildon council objecting to the mast.

However, time is running out if the protest is to succeed -- the mast is set to go up on July 26.

Derek Waterlow, of Potash Road, said: "The councillors were very supportive and accept we have a good argument. It is not just the people in Potash Road who are affected but also those in The Vale and Vale Court where a lot of new homes are being built.

"If the council receives enough objections the matter will have to be referred to a county committee which meets in September."

His views were backed by Steven Campbell of The Vale.

He said: "The site for the intended mast will be at most 25 yards from the rear of our homes, and just five yards from the boundaries of our properties.

"Anglian Water seems to have given no consideration to its customers when it leased the plot to Mercury."

Basildon councillors are to look at the plan and make recommendations.

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

A spokeswoman for Mercury said: "There is no scientific proof there is any danger from masts and they are safe as far we are concerned."

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