Residents worried about plans to install a phone mast in a church spire have offered the vicar £5,000 a year not to put it there.

The residents claim the vicar of St Barnabas Church in Heaton is failing to listen to his neighbours' concerns by agreeing to put a mobile-phone mast in the church.

About 30 people who live near the church attended a meeting of Heaton Against Radiation Mast (HARM) at Rossefield Primary School last night. They raised fears for children and the community if the Hutchison 3G mast is put up at the church.

The church would receive £5,000 a year from the mobile phone company. Charin Singh, of Rossefield Road, cited examples such as a school in Spain next to a mobile-phone mast where four children contracted leukaemia.

The residents asked Canon Rod Anderson not to divide the community and the church over the issue.

Mr Anderson, a scientist, said that if masts posed health risks, most of Huddersfield should have contracted cancer from the Emley Moor mast.

Speaking about the proposed Heaton mast, he said: "The expected radiation levels in the area would be hundreds below Government guidelines and I would regard it as safe. The whole Church of England is going broke fast - £5,000 will significantly help our budget.

"Money raised would go towards the upkeep of the church building, the finances of the village hall and salary of clergy."

Some residents asked whether he would refuse the mast if they offered him £5,000 a year. He replied: "It is not fair to ask a question leading to a suggestion that the church may blackmail the community not to do something."

Mr Anderson offered to talk to people named on the 200-signature petition.

Chris Morley, church project manager, added that if a mast was built further away, the area would still get the same intensity of radiation to have mobile phone coverage.

John Barber, Hutchison 3G community affairs manager, told the Telegraph & Argus: "We are a licensed, accountable organisation working within World Health Organisation guidelines."