A Winchester grandmother staged a 24-hour vigil at the site of a proposed phone mast as campaigners staged events across the city.

At each spot where mobile phone giants have placed or applied to erect controversial masts, groups gathered on Saturday.

It was part of a countywide day of action by protest groups.

In Kynegils Road, Byron Avenue, Lanham Lane, Sarum Road, Otterbourne and Compton, candlelight vigils, information stalls, and a street party were held.

Karen Barratt stayed outside for 24 hours in Byron Avenue where Orange have been given permission to place a 15-metre high micro mast.

Currently, it has agreed not to put it up while other sites are investigated but residents are upset that it could be erected in the middle of a housing estate, close to Western Primary School.

Karen, (58), of Byron Avenue, said: "The significance of the 24 hours is that if the mast goes up then emissions will be there 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"There will be no times day or night when we will not be bombarded by it."

Earlier, a busload of Winchester protesters travelled to Westminster to lobby MPs over new planning guidelines that do not require health to be considered as an issue.

Fiona Radford-Smith, of the Action Against Byron Avenue Mast group, said: "I think the day was about bringing attention to the question of masts and radiation and also about getting together with other groups in Hampshire."