MUM Jackie Richards took her fight against the siting of a mobile phone mast to the gates of Westminster when she joined a lobby of protesters from across the country last week.

She hopes a petition she handed into Number 10 on behalf of Hazlemere Mast Action Group last Wednesday, will make the Government rethink its policy on mast siting.

Mrs Richards, 35, of Sawpit Hill, is furious that an Orange mobile phone mast has gone up on a lamppost opposite her home despite concern among locals.

A new planning policy document has been published by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and is expected to advise local government planners to ignore health concerns when considering applications for new masts.

The new document also upholds legislation which says companies do not need planning permission for masts under 15 metres high.

But Mrs Richards says that the policy goes against the Stewart Report, which recommended all masts go through the full planning process and she is also concerned over health risks.

She said: "Our house is directly opposite the mast and the beams from the antennae will be beamed directly into our house. Nobody knows the full safety implications yet but if the masts are under 15 metres, there is nothing stopping phone companies putting them up all over."

A spokesman for Orange said: "Orange acknowledges public concern regarding the siting of transmitters however there is no conclusive evidence that makes a link between exposure to radio waves, transmitter masts and long term public risks."

She said Orange will continue to operate under standards set by the National Radiological Protection Board.

The phone mast is commissioned for use in mid August.