THE proliferation of bids for mobile phone antennae has prompted plans for a meeting between telecommunications firms and residents of a Dales community.

Hawes had found itself in the line of the march of the masts, particularly over the past few months.

North Yorkshire County Council's Richmondshire area committee was told on Monday that, over the past few months, eight separate applications had been submitted to the planning authorities by companies in search of better reception in the Wensleydale area.

However, the equipment has proved a sticking point, particularly with a question mark still hovering over the health risks masts may pose.

Vodafone was hoping an antenna designed to resemble a flagpole on the roof of St Margaret's Church would win the backing of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's planning committee earlier this year.

Members rejected it on the grounds it would spoil the townscape and could pose a threat to children at the town's school, which is just 200m away.

But the decision was overturned a few weeks later when officers warned the company was likely to win on appeal.

Since then, mobile phone company Orange has submitted a separate bid for a mast at the Brunt Acres Industrial Estate on the edge of Hawes, with six further applications in the area either already up for debate or being planned.

"So far, over 300 people have signed a petition against more masts in Hawes - that's a third of the population,'' said Councillor John Blackie.

He said residents accept that an improved mobile phone network would be in their interests.

As one example, the meeting was told of a farmer who was injured when his quad bike overturned. He had to cross three fields for help as he was unable to use a mobile phone to call for assistance.

Nevertheless, Coun Blackie said: "Local people are still worried about the health risks posed by the masts and cannot understand why the companies cannot share one antenna in an agreed location.

"A round-table conference is therefore being arranged with the firms, which we hope will lead to a solution.