Worried residents have expressed concern after proposals for two controversial mobile phone masts in Castle Point were given the all clear.

They will be erected in Rayleigh Road, Hadleigh and Parsons Road, Benfleet.

However, Castle Point Council rejected plans for a microwave dish to be installed on an electricity sub-station in Rayleigh Road, Hadleigh.

Mum-of-three Alison Hubbard, 31, of Sweet Briar Avenue in Benfleet, has campaigned against phone masts being installed in the area.

She said: "It is a populated area and children live here.

"We have to protect our children, they are the most important thing and if we have to take action to protect them, then we have to do so.

"But we do need more information about the health risks.

"If we knew masts were dangerous we could fight tooth and nail to get rid of them - but we don't know how great the risk is.

"However, this does not mean we can just ignore them. Even if there is the slightest risk these masts might be dangerous, we have to try and stop them going up."

Councillor Doug Roberts (Con, St James') said: "The public perception of these masts is that they are dangerous. The Government has recommended caution on putting up these masts and public perception is a valid reason not to go ahead."

However, other councillors were concerned the proposal would be passed on appeal.

Charles Smith (Lab Cedar Hall) said: "I have reservations about this application but how will we defend it on appeal?"

Jenifer Howlett (Lab, St Peter's) said: "We want some sound advice on what chance we have of winning this on appeal.

"The site is near Westwood School. It is very worrying."

Chairman of the town planning committee, Dennis Williams, (Lab, Canvey North) said: "The council's position on mobile phone masts is that we work in partnership with residents to find suitable sites for masts that are not near schools or bang in the middle of residential areas.

"The two we have approved meet those criteria."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.