TWO mobile phone companies want to erect transmitter masts metres away from one another in Chipping Sodbury.

Orange and Vodafone are both trying to get permission from South Gloucestershire Council to put up the masts opposite each other in Dodington Road.

Orange wants to erect a 17.5 metre mast with four satellite dishes and Vodafone has resubmitted plans to put up a 18 metre mast after previous plans for a 20 metre pole were refused.

Both masts would be 70 metres away from the nearest house and 320 metres away from Raysfield Junior School.

Dodington Parish Council has objected to both applications, arguing the masts would be an "incongruous feature" on the landscape.

It is also pressing South Gloucestershire Council to insist that other mobile phone companies use the masts should either get the go ahead.

The masts would improve new 3G technology for mobile phone users but residents say their health - and that of their children - could be irreparably damaged.

Olivia Tresise, planning officer for South Gloucestershire Council, said: "The council's environmental health officer has no objection in principle to the proposal.

"It is mentioned that overall existing scientific knowledge provides no convincing evidence that radio telephones and associated equipment pose a long-term public health hazard."

Recommendations have been made to let the South West's Government office decide which mast should be built.

The council's planning committee was due to decide the dilemma as the Gazette went to press.