A TELECOM giant has sparked fury by refusing to say where it intends to install a new Tetra radio mast in the New Forest.

Airwave MM02 is already looking for a new site after dismantling its existing mast at Home Farm, Hythe, yesterday in front of jubilant residents.

The company is understood to be looking at land in nearby Dibden Purlieu, but is refusing to say if the rumours are correct.

"That's for us to know,"said Airwave spokesman Peter Sitch.

The company was attacked by Barrie Slipper, chairman of Dibden Residents Against Tetra (DRAT), who said: "It's a very remote and high-handed approach."

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis said: "It's typical of the arrogant and ham-fisted way in which this company has been behaving."

DRAT was formed last year after the Home Farm mast was installed without planning permission.

Worried residents described it as a potential health hazard and parents of children at nearby Orchard Infant and Junior School also expressed concern.

Pat Wyeth, chairman of the district planning committee, later accused the company of ignoring the concerns of the local community and riding roughshod over the planning system.

New Forest Council threatened to dismantle the mast, but Airwave arrived at the site yesterday to do the job themselves.

Veterans of the nine-month battle against the aerial cheered as it was gently lowered to the ground and driven away on a lorry.

Mr Slipper added: "We had the council on our side, but the landowner withdrew permission for the mast and that's what really clinched it."

Airwave's refusal to say where it intends to install a replacement mast came under fire from Hythe county councillor Brian Dash.

He said: "It wasn't a very comm-unity-minded response and demonstrates that Airwave isn't really concerned about local people. All they are concerned about is their contract."

Tetra masts are said to comply with British safety guidelines. However, critics claim the technology has not been adequately tested.

Tetra stands for Terrestrial Trunked Radio, a new type of communications system that is due to be used by police forces across the country.