PLANS to build a telephone mast in Heighington look almost certain to go-ahead, despite protests.

The mast is being constructed for mobile phone company One2One, at Highside Bank, near Highside Farm.

Residents have complained that because of the elevated location of the mast it will be visually intrusive.

Heighington Primary School, which is about half-a-mile away, is also understood to be objecting to the development.

Ward councillor Gerald Lee said: "People are not happy about it because of the visual intrusion and a fear about health problems, although admittedly this has not been proved.

"There is little consultation and the Government appears to have given carte blanche for these things to be built."

Steve Jones, a spokesman for Darlington Borough Council, said that planning law meant there was little local authorities could do to prevent such masts being built.

If a mast was less than 15 metres high - as in this case - the council could only comment on the design and location.

Mr Jones said the location of the planned mast was fairly isolated, with just one farm in the vicinity.