Sutton and Cross Hills campaigners appear to have won their battle to stop a mobile phone mast.

BT Cellnet had hoped to install a mast in the field of W & JR Thompson (Woodturners) Ltd off Holme Lane, which sits on the border between Sutton and Cross Hills.

But this week it was learned that the owner of Thompson's is now said to have requested withdrawal of the plans.

That the site adjoins the grounds of South Craven School, is a few yards from Holme Garth Day Nursery and only people on the Sutton side of it were informed has angered residents.

A campaign was launched last week and concluded on Tuesday with an eight-hour sitting protest opposite the site by Holmeroyd Avenue residents Anna Duggan and Doreen Goff.

About 50 people have signed letters to Craven council opposing the plans.

Mrs Duggan says: "Nearly 2000 children are here on a daily basis and nobody has been notified. There was a 42 day notice to get it passed deliberately before they go back to school and before the governors meet in September."

Like many others Mrs Duggan is worried by health issues surrounding mobile masts.

South Craven school's chairman of governors John Daley says: "If parents have concerns, which they clearly do, the school needs to acknowledge and reflect that."

Current laws prevent mast planning applications being rejected on health grounds and limit local authorities' powers to stop them.

Craven planning officer Richard Preston says: "Government guidance instructs us to use current policies but consider what's attached to each case.

"In Cononley's case (where a mast was rejected) because of overwhelming opposition we took into account the public perception of harm rather than actual harm.

"If it's having a material effect on people's well-being - a psychological effect - it could be turned down.

"But this is tricky as there are no figures to show any actual adverse effects."

He says the Cross Hills side of the site was not told of the plans as only those in the 'immediate surrounding area' were told.

But the incident has fuelled a campaign by Sutton councillors Steve Place and Ken Hart to get Craven council's policies on mast applications changed.

Mr Place says: "The Government has given 'carte blanche' permission to network operators to do what they want, when they want.

"We as a council should operate a 'precautionary approach' and adopt a policy of 'prudent avoidance' at our next full council meeting."

No one at Thompson's was available to comment.