CAMPAIGNERS in Westwood are celebrating the news that plans to site a mobile phone mast in their village have been put on hold.

Parents from Westwood Nursery School and residents in Upper Westwood have been fighting plans by Vodafone to put a 12-metre mast on land at Hanson Mine, only 100 metres from the school.

The application was deferred by West Wiltshire District Council's northern area committee last week.

Cllr Angie Barker said she felt the committee should listen hard to the safety fears of the public. "There is a lot we don't know and we should look at this again."

Amanda Burnside, chairman of Westwood Nursery School said that while she was delighted that the application had been put on hold, she was cautious about the next move by Vodafone.

"This only means that the company has been asked to look at alternative sites. We don't know what happens if Vodafone comes back and says it cannot find a suitable alternative site. We have to be ready to fight," said Mrs Burnside.

District council planning officer Pat Tidy met Vodafone this week to discuss the future of the application.

"The numerous health risks that were raised formed part of the discussions with Vodafone this week," said Mrs Tidy.

The village already has two masts in a third of a mile radius: a 40-metre mast with Vodafone equipment and a 15-metre Orange mast.

The current plan includes a cabin, a 12-metre pole with three antenna and a microwave dish.

Jim Burns was one of half a dozen householders who attended the planning meeting. He said he was pleased the committee had listened to the villagers and took their concerns on board.

"It is good to know the committee is as concerned as we are, but we can only wait to see what Vodafone come back with," said Mr Burns.

The residents and the nursery school are geared up for another fight if the company re-submits the same application.

Mrs Burnside said: "We will be ready for another fight, if Vodafone say they are unable to find an alternative location."

The northern area committee received a petition signed by 27 parents of children at the nursery school.