A PHONE mast disguised as a conifer tree has appeared on a North-East golf course.

The 78ft Vodafone mast is designed to blend into the background at the Blackwell Grange Golf Club, in Darlington.

However, the sudden appearance of the plastic tree has bemused residents and golfers, some of whom campaigned against it.

The fir tree foliage doesn't stretch all the way to the ground and the plastic- looking trunk, concrete base and cabin beneath its branches, are very obvious signs of its artificial origin.

Vodafone said yesterday that the tree-mast was one of up to 18 across the country that were being used to hide phone antenna.

"There are various ways of minimising the visual impact. There are several designs including a Cyprus tree and a dead tree - called the lightning tree," said a Vodafone spokeswoman.

Blackwell Golf Club secretary Phil Wraith would not reveal how much the golf course had been paid to host the mast - but said that it was a commercial decision.

He said: "It looks alright to us. It is a bit bigger than the trees next to it and it looks worse at the moment because there is no foliage."

Over the past few years, phone companies have come up with a variety of innovative ways to hide masts - including disguising them as flagpoles, chimneys, clocks, drainpipes, telegraph poles, and even weathervanes.

Darlington Borough Council granted planning permission for the mast at the golf course last November.

People living nearby and the Blackwell Grange Residents' Association objected to the proposal for the mast, saying that it was inappropriate for the area, too close to houses and would be clearly visible in winter. The mast is visible from Carmel Road South.

Penny Brunskill, who lives in Arkle Crescent, Skerne Park, said she could see it from her house.

She said: "I don't like it, it doesn't blend in at all. It looks like a loo brush."

Residents also expressed concerns over health risks.

When the council granted permission, planning officer Adrian Miller said: "We simply can't win on these masts. Everyone wants the service and no one wants the infrastructure. These have to go somewhere."

A golfer, who didn't want to be named, said: "All the golfers I know, including me, are delighted, as it not only brings in much-needed revenue to the club, but is another barrier to stray balls ending up on the road.

"It's a fine specimen, I was admiring it just yesterday."