PARENTS and an MEP have vowed to continue their fight to stop a mobile phone mast being built near a primary school.

Darlington Borough Council rejected an application to install the 11.5m Orange mast in Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, in November, because of public fears about possible health risks to children.

But Orange is appealing against the decision, saying the reason given by councillors did not hold sufficient weight to warrant a refusal of planning permission.

Martin McLean, chairman of governors at St Augustine's Primary School, in Beechwood Avenue, said: "We are disappointed that they have decided to appeal. We will make our objections known.

"They have told us that the emissions from the mast are within Government guidelines, but nobody can confirm for us that those guidelines are safe," he said.

"We are not entitled to take that risk with the children's health."

Orange says radio coverage needs extending in south-west Darlington and there are no alternative sites.

But North-East MEP Stephen Hughes, who also plans to object to the appeal, said that was not true.

He said: "Orange has ignored the fact that it is clear there is adequate coverage in this part of town.

"I have asked several Orange users who have passed that part of town to check and the signal strength is great."

In its grounds of appeal, Orange quotes a recent review by the Independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation that concluded: "Exposure levels from living near to mobile phone base stations are extremely low and the overall evidence indicates that they are unlikely to pose a risk to health."

The matter will be decided by the Planning Inspectorate, based on written representations.

Those wishing to comment can write to: 3/26 Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN, by April 21.