A mother-of-two is furious she was not informed that a mobile phone mast consultation was to be cut short.

Jo Huyg, of Asquith Road, Rose Hill, Oxford, objected to Vodafone's plans for a mast near the ring road on Thursday, July 7 -- a day before the consultation period was due to end.

But she then received a letter from the city council saying that its south eastern area committee had already given the mast planning permission at its meeting on Monday, July 4.

She said: "Councillors are people who are supposed to be representing your opinion and they didn't even know what my opinion was before they decided. Two councillors did apologise, but it's too late, the consultation has ended now."

Ms Huyg, who lives with partner Rafael Borja and children Aisha, three and Mali, one, is concerned about the health risks the mast may pose. It will be directly opposite the family's garden.

She said: "I feel like if you have a mobile phone, you can choose to use it, but you can't choose if you have a mast at the end of your garden. It might not have long-term health risks, but it could and if that little chance is there, what am I supposed to do about it?"

Rose Hill and Iffley ward councillor Ed Turner said mast applications were usually dealt with by council officers, but due to local opposition, it had been referred to the area committee.

The committee had to discuss it at its July meeting, as its next gathering was not until August. The statutory 56-day consultation period would have ended on July 28, meaning councillors would have had no further opportunity to raise objections to Vodafone.

Mr Turner added: "The one thing that didn't happen was the council didn't write to people a second time to say the end date had changed. I think the council needs to look at writing to people again if the consultation process is shortened."

Residents in Rose Hill have until October 27 to comment on other plans by Vodafone, to put up a 30ft mast at the Humphris car dealership.