School mobile masts 'are safe'

Readings were taken at schools and hospitals

Tests of emissions from mobile phone masts in three schools and a hospital in Yorkshire and the Humber are well below international guidelines, new research reveals.

Readings at schools in Sowerby Bridge, Bradford and Leeds were between 3,000 and 67,000 times below the limit.

While the level for Scunthorpe General Hospital was more than 24,000 times below the international guidelines.

Schools readings were taken at Christ Church Junior School in Sowerby Bridge, Lower Fields Primary in Bradford and Ralph Thoresby High School in Leeds.

The government study examined 109 masts across the UK.

Anti-mast campaigners have expressed fears low level radiation could pose a health risk to people living near the ariels.

Telecoms Minister Stephen Timms said: "We are aware of public concerns.

"The results continue to show that exposure levels of the public are well below recommended limits."

The international guidelines depend on the power output of the phone masts.