Angry mast protesters have failed to halt plans to site a 45-foot phone mast in Compton near Winchester.

The application, by international phone giant, Hutchinson 3G, to site the mobile phone mast at Beckett's Nurseries has been strongly opposed by residents.

A planning sub-committee met at the site last Friday and, despite vigorous representations from protesters, the application was passed by planners. Residents now fear their health could be affected.

Lesley Gilbert said: "I'm particularly angry that our real fears about the health risks posed by mobile phone masts are being ignored. Don't the views of ordinary citizens count for anything?"

A spokesman from the company putting up the mast said they "accept people have concerns about health issues".

He also pointed out that an independent government report said that the balance of evidence suggested there were no health risks to people living near a base station.

He said the new network was for phones that also stored data ? half phone, half computer. The phones would also be able to pick up e-mail.

Councillor, David Atwell, said: "The masts have nothing to do with the existing phone networks. They are the first phase of the new 'third generation' network the operators have committed to supply."

Disgruntled residents of Compton, Otterbourne and Shawford will protest again on Saturday at 3pm. The meeting will coincide with Mast Action Day across Hampshire. A number were also due to join protesters from all over the country who converged on Westminster on Wednesday in a bid to get planning guidelines changed.