A mobile phone mast disguised as a tree could be built on an Oxford sports ground close to a residential area.

Hutchison 3G has submitted a plan to Oxford City Council to put up a 15m mobile mast disguised as a cypress tree a on sports ground next to Bartlemas Close in Cowley, which is owned by Lincoln College.

The imitation tree design is the first of its kind to be submitted in Oxford.

City planners have already turned down two applications to put up a mast on the site, following protests by residents.

The city council has given people until January 10 to comment on the application to build the mast.