Rayleigh MP Dr Michael Clark today headed calls for more research into possible health risks from mobile phone masts.

His call came as protester Jack Barber took to the roads on a tractor in the fight to stop a 35ft mast being built near a children's hospice.

Jack, 77, of Daws Heath Road, Thundersley, has put a sign saying 'No to mast' on the front of his tractor and is trundling around delivering the message.

Residents have vowed to fight the plans and have drawn up a petition to try to block permission for the pole, antennae and equipment cabin.

Hazel Owen, of Daws Heath Road, said the mast would be surrounded by houses and be close to Little Haven Hospice.

She said: "If these masts have not been proved safe, they should not be placed near any houses. There could be certain health risks involved here."

Fears about the safety of phone masts have been raised nationally, with some experts claiming emissions from them could cause some forms of cancer.

Ian Burchill, director of planning at Castle Point Council confirmed he had received a planning application from telephone company Orange.

He said: "It is our practice to consult with local residents to seek their views on the matter. They are the ones who will be most affected."

Dr Clark, chairman of the Commons' science and technology select committee, said it was vital to keep checks on the mobile phone industry, which has around 17 million customers.

He also called on the Government to adopt lower guidelines for emissions from mobile phones and telecommunication equipment.

He said: "Validated scientific evidence supports the conclusion that neither mobile phones nor their associated base stations, if they comply with current maximum exposure guidelines - as they appear to do - present a health hazard.

"Uncertainties, however, remain. Some scientific results, albeit unreplicated, and anecdotal evidence, underline the need for further research."

Protest - Jack Barber takes to the road in a tractor to drive home his opposition to phone masts

Picture: NICK ANSELL

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