SHOCKED residents found a mobile phone mast being installed in their village despite councillors opposing it.

Villagers in Sheriff Hutton, near Easingwold, were relieved when Ryedale District Council told them phone company Orange would not be allowed to put up the mast in Daskett Hill.

However, they were surprised when engineers began installing the equipment.

Rules meant the mast could go up because the council failed to reply to its application within 56 days.

Angry letters have now been written to the council and a petition has already attracted 200 signatures.

Resident Linda Murphy said: "We are extremely concerned about the health implications of having a mast so close to our homes, especially with having young children."

Parish council chairwoman Penny Bean said: "When we first heard about the application, we contacted Ryedale District Council, who said the application had been withdrawn. We thought withdrawn meant quashed and were rather surprised to see the mast going up. We are determined to fight it, but the proof of the pudding will be when they take the blasted thing down."

An Orange spokesman said: "Orange submitted an application to Ryedale District Council for a 15-metre slimline mast back in November 2004. Under planning regulations, the council has 56 days to make a decision on that application, and Ryedale District Council did not make that decision within 56 days.

"What that means is that Orange is deemed to have planning consent."

The council said it was investigating the matter.