CAMPAIGNERS are facing yet another blow in Hampshire's longest-running phone mast battle.

Residents are trying to gain legal control of the site in Byron Avenue, Winchester, where mobile phone company Orange proposes to put a transmitter mast.

However, a report to be presented to the county council's ruling Cabinet at a meeting on Monday is recommending the request, by Alan and Anne Saunders of Chilbolton Avenue, be refused.

The couple, whose garden backs on to the land, want to exercise their rights as landowners closest to the site to ask for the 'extinguishment of highway rights'.

They say as there is no known owner of the land it will pass to them.

Members of the Cabinet will discuss whether or not the application goes to magistrates' court for approval.

Officers at the county council will say the land is well-used as part of a network to and from Western Primary School.

"If highway rights were extinguished the land could be developed or fenced in any way the landowner may chose to do so. In the present case this would have an adverse effect on forward visibility and the perception of public safety," the report states.

Karen Barratt, spokesman for the Byron Avenue campaign, said: "The points made in this report all relate to maintaining the open aspect of the mast site. The fact that Orange are planning to erect a 12 metre mast there with a large equipment cabin, which has to be screened with shrubs, seems to have escaped the council's notice."

Orange originally applied to erect the mast in December 2000 and were given permission on appeal.

Since then campaigners have pursued legal action but have not succeeded in having the application overturned. They are now considering whether or not to take the case to the European Court.

A spokesman for Orange declined to comment in detail on what he said was an issue for protesters and the council, but he did say the company fully intended to build the mast as soon as is practical.