A bid to erect a 52ft mobile phone mast opposed by 237 objectors in a town of about 900 people has been refused.

The plan sparked fury in Masham, near Ripon, where applicants Airwave MM02 wanted to put up the mast on an entry to the town.

But when the application was considered by Harrogate Borough Council's chief planning officer, Tim Richards, and chairman of the planning committee Councillor Nigel Simms, the scheme was refused.

Planners said other sites of less impact on the surroundings should be investigated first, including mast sharing on nearby equipment.

They also cited the impact the mast would have on the listed building of Low Burton Hall.

Residents say the scheme attracted so many objections because it would have been a blot on the landscape, spoiling the attractive vista of Masham from a point where the Ripon and Bedale roads join about a mile from the town centre.

The phone company wanted to erect the mast to improve police communications on a grass verge near Low Burton Hall, near the junction of the B6267 and A6108 roads from Bedale and Ripon.

Masham Parish Council tabled a strong protest.