The Tetra system is due to be switched on in April

Three attempts by 02 Airwave to secure planning permission for a mast near St Ives to support the system have failed.

The controversial new Tetra system is due to be switched on permanently across the rest of Cornwall in April.

But Mike Hindley, chairman of Zennor Parish Council, said residents wanted proof that the system was safe.

The Tetra system is expected to be fully up and running across the UK by spring 2005.

However the programme to provide a network of Tetra masts has met with opposition from people who claim the masts can make people ill.

Councillor Hindley said: "We want to be covered by the new system like everyone else, but we would rather have a system that is safer.

"If we accept it and a long way down the line it is proved that it is not safe, it will be too late for the people here."

Inspector Mike Leach, Devon and Cornwall Police project manager, said officers would be hampered in the Zennor area until the radio mast issue was resolved.