SHADOW foreign secretary Michael Ancram is due to speak at a meeting in Ludgershall this afternoon on the growing concern caused by the positioning of Tetra communication masts.

Protesters in Ludgershall have been concerned about the closeness of a mast to properties and the potential impact on health and property values.

Protesters have already persuaded Wiltshire County Council to axe any plans to house the masts on land under its control and now Hampshire has also decided to take a firm stand against the invasion of masts.

The Tetra masts are to be used to deliver a much improved, and more secure, police communication system.

The Hampshire council has sent out a strong signal that it doesn't want masts near residential areas, particularly schools.

Hampshire council leader Ken Thornber, said: "We cannot take the chance of affecting the health of our children." He has invited mast operators to get round the table and talk about the issue.

Hampshire councillors have backed a recommendation from the environment policy review committee that the authority take a precautionary approach to the siting of masts on its land and buildings.

It believes the lack of evidence of long-term health impact underlines the need for this approach.

Hampshire will also be pressing Whitehall to rethink its current policy to take into account health concerns of the community.

Stockbridge county councillor Mike Woodhall said it was right that the emergency services had to have the most up-to-date communications to do the job demanded by the public. But he added: "The public is deeply concerned about how this technology is developing."

Mr Ancram, whose Devizes constituency includes Lud-gershall and Tidworth, is due to appear at the Scout hall in Ludgershall at 3pm.