Councillors in Oxford have agreed to do their best to get mobile phone masts installed away from homes.

Annie Davy, of Kenilworth Avenue, east Oxford, spoke on behalf of residents concerned about the health risks posed by the masts at a meeting of the city council's executive board yesterday.

She said a blanket ban on masts on council property would be unhelpful, as it would mean phone companies would turn to private landowners, leading to less accountability.

Councillors agreed and decided applications should continue to be dealt with on an individual basis.

After the meeting, council leader Corinna Redman said: "We have to accept that phone masts are going to be erected, and if we talk to the phone companies, we can try to steer them into areas which might be acceptable."