DAISY WINS MAST FIGHT

9:16am Wednesday 2nd May 2001

THE family of a girl with a brain tumour are celebrating after a mobile phone company dropped plans to build a mast outside their home.

Doctors told nine-year-old Daisy Archer's mum, Deborah, the youngster could not live next to a mast after the she reached her lifetime limit for radiation while being treated.

But BT Cellnet applied for permission to put up the mast in Sampson Close, Belvedere, yards from the home of Daisy Archer, in Abbotswood Close, and her playhouse in the garden.

Now the company has dropped the idea after receiving a letter from the Archers pleading with bosses to reconsider.

Daisy still has a live tumour behind her eye. She has been treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital and has now reached her lifetime limit of radiation treatment.

Mrs Archer said: “We have to take each scan at a time. Daisy's tumour could grow back.

“And Daisy cannot have anymore radiotherapy in her life.

“Her doctors have told me we have to fight this mast.

“Of course there are no documents which say that a mobile phone mast will definitely harm her, but we cannot take that chance.

“We have already been told she cannot have a mobile phone when she is older because of the radiation, nor have any teeth or head x-rays unless it is vital.

“We are absolutely delighted at this decision.”

The Archers wrote to BT Cellnet asking it to reconsider its plan.

On Monday, a spokesman for the company said its acquisitions manager for the Belvedere area had seen the Archers' letter.

She added: “While we do not accept there is any evidence of harm to health from mobile phone masts, we have decided not to proceed with this application at this time.”

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