Harrogate council had rejected the mast application

They presented a 2,000-name petition objecting to the structure on Thursday.

Although an inspector rejected plans for the mast near St Robert's, Granby High and Woodfield schools, phone firms had this overturned in the High Court.

A final decision on whether it can be erected will be made at the Court of Appeal in November.

Potential landmark

In June, a High Court judge ruled that the proposals - by T-Mobile, Orange and Hutchinson 3G - met current safety guidelines.

Sir Richard Tucker said the plans did not give rise to "actual danger", even though there was a "perception of risk" amongst the public.

Quashing the planning inspector's decision, he said that current government guidelines were concerned with "actual rather than perceived health risk".

Campaigners fear the decision will allow companies to ignore health fears and erect masts on sensitive sites in the future.