Pint-sized nine-year-old Edward Caton pleaded with a meeting of Chelmsford Planning Committee to veto a microwave radiation mobile phone mast being put up near his school.

Nine last month, Edward is the youngest person ever to address councillors at public question time.

Using the microphone in the 180-seater public gallery of the council chamber in Duke Street Civic Centre Edward he unfalteringly spoke out against a plan for a 65 foot monopole mast.

The site was said to be within 500 yards of Beehive Lane primary school and the special deaf and speech unit at Great Baddow High School.

"I am worried about my health and lots of people's health.Lots of countryside will be used up where we will not be able to walk or paint.

"My school is at Beehive Lane and next year my class will be at the corner nearest to the mast. Lots of my friends are worried because they don't know where it will go. My name is Edward and I am nine," he told them.

Later Edward said:"I asked at school if they were going to the meeting but they did not know about it so I asked my mum if I could speak. We don't know what harm masts can do to children and until we do we should not take any chances."

Mum 'Nicola said:"I was quite astonished when the council people said a child had never addressed them before.They said his speech helped get the application rejected."

Committee councillors unanimously rejected the scheme but for environmental reasons only.

Mast message: Edward in the council chamber.

By Peter Baker

Reporter's e-mail: peter.baker@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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