Pensioners have lost their battle against plans to put two more mobile phone masts on a roof near their sheltered homes.

The residents at Kipling Court, Idle, appealed to Bradford Area Planning Panel to turn down the application from Vodafone.

They said they had suffered from sore throats ever since the existing one was put there about 13 months ago.

But the panel decided to allow the new masts on the top of Parklands Business Centre in Albion Road, Greengates.

Officers told the panel there had recently been a landmark ruling where an appeal by a company which had been refused planning permission was dismissed on the grounds that the fear suffered by residents because the masts damaged their amenities.

Fred Gardner, a 76-year-old retired electrician who attended the meeting on behalf of his neighbours, said there was no proof the masts were not causing health problems.

He said if councillors gave permission one of the structures would be only 20 yards from his window.

Officers told the panel there had been considerable research on mobile phones and masts and their effect on health "but the jury was out". They told the panel that energy from mobile phone masts was thousands of times below the Government guidelines, however.

Ward Councillor Ann Ozolins (Lib-Dem) who attended the meeting to represent the residents said: "It isn't so much about what it does, but the fear that people are experiencing. There is the question of human rights."

A medical note was passed to members from a doctor saying Elsie Hall, a resident in Kipling Court, had suffered from sore throats for the past year, had been given tests, but a reason has not been found.

Members visited the mills and accepted an invitation to look at the existing mast from Mr Gardner's kitchen window.

But chairman Councillor Clive Richardson said after the visit that he would personally have difficulty turning an application down on the grounds of fear.

But Councillor Allan Hillary (Lib-Dem, Bolton) said: "They have asked people to come into a new world and these people have great fears about their health. I support these elderly people and I cannot vote for it."

l Members approved an application to demolish a madrassa in Al Amin Square, off Amberley Street, and build a mosque and madrassa in its place.

Conditions were imposed that the minaret should not overlook houses, calls to prayer should be restricted and access provided for disabled people. Coun Hillary said he hoped it would be built with as much natural stone as possible.

l Members turned down an application to use part of a shop in John Street for an extended amusement arcade because they wanted it to be kept retail.

The application was opposed by city centre manager Elaine Francis who said the area - which was being redeveloped - had huge potential but the change of use could prevent the ability to attract better quality shops.