Lamp posts around Southend could be used to site mini mobile phone masts, it has been revealed.

Council officers are suggesting councillors accept the radical idea - as a way of avoiding a forest of new, free-standing masts around the town.

Cellular phone firm, Orange, has submitted plans to strap mini-masts onto lamp posts across Southend.

So far, only 11 have been applied for, but officials say many more could follow.

A new style of post would be put up with a small mobile phone aerial and a lamp bracket. The joint lighting and telecommunications mast would serve its usual function and boost short-wave radio signals from mobile phones.

Councillors on the planning and transportation committee will consider the idea at next meeting.

If councillors refuse the proposal, planning regulations could allow mobile phone companies to put up free-standing masts more or less anywhere in the town without permission - provided they remained within height limits.

Highways officer John Whiddon said: "Aerials are needed at certain locations within the borough, to overcome poor reception of Orange's service.

"It is likely other mobile telephone companies would approach the council in future to install similar aerials in streets. Based on demand for Orange mobile telephones, the number of aerials to be installed could rise from the current 11 proposed."

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