Wiltshire residents are opposing plans to build a telecommunications mast in the county.

The planning application for the mast in Marlborough, complete with three 11-metre antennae, will be decided at a council meeting on Thursday 19 December.

The council responsible for the application - Kennet district - has so far received 440 objections to the proposals.

Residents say the health risks associated with the masts are unknown: a charge disputed by the company behind the project.

There is nothing to link masts to anything detrimental to health Hutchinson 3G Spokesperson

Local resident Mark Denyer said the council planning officer had already recommended the planning committee approve the application.

He said: "The problem is that government guidelines on these masts only take into account the thermal effects of radiation, not the non-thermal effects."

Mr Denyer claimed the associated health risks of non-thermal effects are still unknown.

"It seems terrible that these masts can be placed in the heart of a residential area including two schools and a playgroup," he added.

'Good coverage'

A spokesperson for Hutchinson 3G, the company behind the mast, told BBC News Online the planning process gave residents and businesses the opportunity to put forward their concerns.

He said: "It is not proven that any effects from non-thermal radiation are detrimental to health."

"Numerous studies have been done by different governments and there is nothing to link masts to anything detrimental to health."

"We are a new company and we need sites of our own. This will give us good coverage of Marlborough," he added.

No one from Kennet District Council was available for comment.