Meeting follows mobile concerns

People living in a Shropshire town have held a meeting in protest at a mobile phone base station being put up near a children's play area.

Vodafone was given permission by Telford and Wrekin Council to erect the mast in Malinslee in Telford.

Residents have been angry they were not consulted before the pole went up.

They were considering challenging the legality of the original planning permission. Vodafone said it was keen to hold a meeting with local people.

Formal backing

Rob Matthews, from the company, said it was recognised there was "significant public concern" about the base station.

He said: "We are still working to try and arrange a date for the meetings and that remains the case that we are committed."

Mr Matthews said all of its base stations were built to be compliant with stringent international exposure guidelines which have the formal backing of independent bodies such as the World Health Organisation.

Residents said they were promised they would be consulted and they were looking at ways of getting the mast removed.

They were going to get in contact with the Local Government Ombudsman.

Councillor Sean Davies, who chaired the meeting on Friday, said it has been agreed a three-party talk between the council, Vodafone and residents would take place.

He said: "I urge all residents to come along and show their concerns both to the council and both to Vodafone itself."