Campaigners concerned about the effects of radiation from transmitters and pylons are determined to continue their fight against the masts.

Surgeon Bob Handley, of New Road, Beckley, near Oxford, unsuccessfully opposed Crown Castle's bid for a 200ft mast aimed at giving better digital television reception in the area.

He is opposing fresh plans by the firm to install more antennae. He is worried that the health issues over accumulated radiation from masts are not clear. He says no further development should be allowed at Beckley which increases the radiation.

At Little Milton, Geoff Cherry, of Thame Road, is trying to highlight health concerns over masts. He has sent local MP Michael Heseltine new German research which claims cattle grazing near pylons and masts produce deformed calves. He has also written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Mr Cherry said: "South Oxfordshire District Council and British Telecom are putting mobile phone antennae on an electricity pylon within 100 yards of a new pre-school building.

"If there are proven dangers to cattle, surely we should err on the side of caution before subjecting our children to these same radiation problems. But no-one seems willing to listen.

"I have written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott who has the power to stop these things happening but have had no response.

"I am worried for our children and the future and I will keep fighting on this issue.

"In Little Milton there are two alternative sites to the chosen pylon, but no-one seems willing to listen to common sense arguments that we should minimise the dangers.

"Governments had exactly the same blinkered approach to the thalidomide scandal and to mad cow disease. You would think they had learned some sort of lesson by now."