A VOTE to oppose a mobile phone mast in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales has been overturned - on the advice of the national park's planning chiefs.

A planning committee meeting last month wanted to reject Vodafone's bid to install an antenna on the tower of St Margaret's Church, in Hawes.

The company said it would be disguised as a flagpole and would have little impact on the area.

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority members were concerned about the health of children at Hawes School 200 yards away, and turned down the proposals.

Because the decision went against the advice of the authority's planning experts, it was referred back to them for further comment.

Officers have warned that if Vodafone went ahead with a threatened appeal, the committee's decision would probably be overturned and, if that were the case, the national park would end up facing a costly legal bill.

The committee has decided to reverse its decision and give the mast its approval.

Meanwhile, the planning committee has given Orange consent in principle for a 15-metre mast at the nearby Brunt Acres Industrial estate.