DESPERATE families may try to buy a stretch of roadside verge to block plans for a 40ft mobile phone mast on it.

Stockton Borough Council unanimously backed protestors in their opposition of the mast and rejected the application by Hutchison 3G on the grounds that it would result in a loss of a visual amenity.

But the company went to appeal and won.

Concerned that radiation from the mast could affect the health of hundreds of children in the Oxbridge area of Stockton, residents are making inquiries with the council about purchasing the land at Cottage Farm road, it was revealed yesterday.

The Government said there was no conclusive proof linking magnetic fields with illnesses such as cancer.

Resident Michelle Cornwall, however, said: "That is what was said about Thalidomide and smoking and look what happened there.

"We want to look into buying the land. We have not had an answer back from the council, but their officers say they are chasing it."

Neighbour and residents' spokeswoman Dawn Coyle said: "We are hoping that might be an option. We have not finished fighting this."

The decision to uphold the appeal could only be overturned on a challenge in the High Court, and only on a point of law.

More than 700 people signed a petition against the plan.

They showed their anger and frustration over the go-ahead for the proposed mast with a protest yesterday.

Mrs Coyle said: "We are so concerned about our kids. Hundreds will be in arm's length of the mast every day, going to and from the junior and comprehensive schools and the sixth form college.

Ward councillor Joan Wade said the appeal decision was deplorable.

She said: "I feel they have not listened to the people and we feel appalled they can pass something when all these residents are against it.

"When it went before the council, the planning application was refused outright. As far as I believe, everybody voted against it."

No one from Hutchison 3G was available for comment.