Furious residents are objecting to plans for a mobile phone mast in woodland near their homes.

There are fears that a 17-metre high column, proposed on land off Somerset Avenue in Baildon, will be an eyesore and could present a health risk.

But mobile phone company Orange say the slimline column will be well screened by trees.

Somerset Avenue resident Paul Quinney, whose home overlooks the proposed site, said: "I'm disgusted by the plan. It's ridiculous.

"We reckon it will be 50 metres away from our house and we have just built a new extension and patio so we can enjoy the beautiful view and now there will be a mast behind the trees.

"It will be an eyesore and won't blend in with the surroundings. The health issue scares me as well because it's an ongoing concern yet to be resolved."

Mr Quinney added that wildlife in the area - including horses, cows, sheep, squirrels and birds - could be affected.

Julia Aquilina, also of Somerset Avenue, said: "You don't want to open your window and see something like that."

Orange carried out a letter drop in the area last month to consult people, but Mr Quinney claimed fewer than ten households received it.

"The people directly across from me didn't even get the letter, so I photocopied 40 and delivered them myself so that people are aware of this," he said.

A spokesman for Orange said: "We have done a mail drop to local residents and we have got a few responses. We are going to deal with any questions people may have.

"We think it's a good location because we have got a screening of trees between the mast and the residential properties. Only the top couple of metres will be above the trees."

The site has been chosen because of its height, which allows the signal to reach most of Baildon.

The spokesman said the mast would improve basic level coverage and capacity for existing 2G customers and help the growth of 3G mobile phones, which allow sound, pictures, documents and videos to be sent and received.

The telecommunication giant considered other possible locations for a mast - including rooftop antennas on the green-keepers building at Baildon Golf Club, a new ground mast at Dorudden Farm on Baildon Moor and a mast share at Thackley Football Club - but were unable to progress.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said: "I'm not a Luddite and I realise a lot of my constituents use mobile phones, but my concern is that masts are sited in the right place."

Bradford Council is now accepting public feedback on the proposal. If planning officers recommend the scheme for approval, it will have to go before the Shipley area Planning Panel for a final decision.

A council spokesman said: "All telecommunications applications go to the planning panel if they are recommended to go ahead."