A hi-tech mast is planned in the Wadhurst area

The plan is to site the mast tower on a hill in Brinkers Lane, near Wadhurst, East Sussex, on the edge of an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Campaigners believe the tower for the Terrestrial Trunked police radio system (Tetra) could pose risks to health, despite assurances, and that only 30 residents in the immediate vicinity of the site have been notified of the plans.

They have until 19 December to object to the proposal but say some villagers do not know about the potential problem.

'Too close to college'

Protesters also claim the application for a temporary mast is misleading as it would be in place for at least two years.

Campaigner Jonathan Rowe said the mast would be pulsing directly at Uplands Community College, attended by 1,100 children, as well as the village.

"To pretend that this application is only relevant to 30 houses, which is all that were notified, is clearly nonsense," he said.

O2 Airwave, the company in charge of building the new digital radio communications service for the police, said the mast would meet requirements for police coverage in the area.

It added that the low emission level transmitter would be compliant with international safety guidelines by "hundreds if not thousands of times".

Sussex police consultant Paul Vincent said: "If residents want an efficient policing, a modern policing, then they will have to support us, I would ask, in providing the best possible technology and communications links."