A farmer, who offered his land as an alternative for a controversial mobile phone mast, fears it will not yield a solution.

Worried villagers objected to plans by Mercury One-2-One to put a mast in Station Road, Rayne, near to the Scout hut.

As a possible solution, farmer Roger Jiggins offered to have the mast on the 260 acres he owns in the north and west of the village.

But after a visit from surveyors acting on behalf of Mercury One-2-One, he felt the sites being looked at were still too near residential property.

Mr Jiggins, who last month stepped down as Rayne Parish Council chairman, offered land on the basis that all parties, including villagers, the parish council, Mercury and himself would agree on the site, but he does not think this agreement will now be reached.

"I offered alternative sites as long as it does not transfer the problem from one person's doorstep to another."

He said he was still waiting to hear from Mercury One-2-One about the final results of the survey but did not hold out much hope.

He added: "I do not think there will be a site satisfactory to everyone on my farm."

A spokesman for Mercury One-2-One confirmed it was looking at other sites but no decision had yet been made.

He said: "To get coverage in a residential area that site has to be situated in such a position to give us the optimum coverage.

"Our planners are looking at choosing the optimum site for Mercury One2One and also the optimum site for residents."

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