Campaigners fear the mast may endanger children at local schools

Workmen arrived at the site on Halifax Road, Foxhill, on Wednesday morning to lay cables for the O2 mast.

But a small crowd of people objecting to the mast's proximity to two schools prevented work from starting by refusing to move from the site.

Campaigners described the demonstration as "very successful" but Sheffield City Council said safety was not at risk.

Protester Sharon Ashton said: "We believe that they should not be built near schools.

"This mast is near two schools, a bus stop and medical centre - that is one of our major concerns."

A Sheffield City Council spokesman said the mast conformed with safety standards and it had granted planning permission.