PROTESTS have brought a halt to plans to build mobile phone masts on two pubs in Oxford.

Residents living near the Marlborough House in Grandpont and The Chester Arms, off Iffley Road, have been protesting against mast plans by mobile phone company T-Mobile.

The company has agreed to review its plans and put installation on hold after hundreds turned out at public meetings to oppose masts being planted on the pubs.

More than 50 residents living near The Chester Arms took to the streets in a bid to get the plans rejected.

John Lo Breglio, of the Iffley/Grandpont Action Group, said: "It would seem our protests have been the main cause as they don't want the bad publicity. This mast would have gone up two weeks ago if we hadn't found out about it by chance. Had we not done anything this would have been a done deal and we'd be looking at a phone mast out the window right now.

"But for us T-Mobile has only put the masts on hold and it's still the same situation until the plan is scrapped."

T-Mobile secured a deal with brewers and pub owners Punch Taverns which allows them to install masts on some of its 90 pubs nationwide.

Although an estimated 80 pubs across the country will house the phone masts, T-Mobile has agreed to review plans for two poles in Oxford.

About 100 residents met with T-Mobile executives last week to oppose the Chester Arms and more neighbours complained about similar plans at the Marlborough House last month.

Protesters, including children armed with placards met outside the Chester Arms to keep the pressure on the phone firm only hours after they decided to suspend plans.

Cables and a transistor box have already been installed.

Gordon Simmons, of T-Mobile, said: "Following a review of its position in South Oxford, T-Mobile has decided to place the proposals to site mobile phone base stations at the Marlborough House and Chester Arms public houses on hold whilst we consider other options in the area."

The company would not comment on other sites it was reviewing or whether the plans had been cancelled.

Nick Trueman, of Punch Taverns, said: "We've got no plans at the moment for masts on other Punch Taverns in the area. Money has never been an issue for us and we accept the decision and it is not a case of where we are left disappointed.

"Where possible we have consulted with people, listened to feedback and been willing and open to speak to local people."

Chester Arms landlord John Dunkley said he feared concerned customers would boycott the pub if the 3G mast received the go-ahead.

The firm has permitted development rights at the pubs and, therefore, does not need planning permission for the mast.

The Marlborough House mast is also opposed by parents and governors of St Ebbe's Primary School.