The Tetra police radio masts should be removed by Friday

Residents in the village of Rogate, West Sussex, had been holding a vigil at Forge Farm since Saturday, when O2 Airwave installed a mast at 0200 GMT.

Another phone mast was also put up during the weekend at Bowhill Farm, east Marden, near Chichester.

Chichester District Council had given the company until 1300 GMT on Wednesday to remove both Terrestrial Trunked Radio (Tetra) masts.

O2 Airwave agreed to take them down following discussions.

This is a great victory for people power - it shows that when people stand up for things, big businesses have to give in Paul Jessop, chairman of Rogate Parish Council

A new deadline of 1700 GMT on Friday has now been set and the council will consider seeking High Court injunctions to secure removal of the masts if this agreement is broken.

The Tetra radio network, which is being installed for 29 police forces in the UK, offers better coverage than mobile phones as well as secure high-quality transmissions.

Residents had campaigned against the masts as they believe the technology used in them can cause cancer and interfere with the body's natural internal communication mechanisms, leading to ill health.

Paul Jessop, chairman of Rogate Parish Council, said: "This is a great victory for people power. It shows that when people stand up for things, big businesses have to give in.

"We would like to see the whole Tetra network scrapped and we wish other people well in their campaigns against these masts and this shows what can be done.

Campaign continues

"We will continue to campaign against these masts and wait to hear what comes of the planning process."

A planning appeal is currently pending for the mast at Rogate, while the planning application for the East Marden mast is due to be considered at the end of this month.

Sam Howes, deputy chief executive of Chichester District Council, said: "Our ongoing negotiations with O2 are leading to a point where I sincerely hope these masts will be removed by lunchtime on Friday, and that additional assurances made by O2 in respect of these and any other sites will be honoured."

A spokeswoman for O2 Airwave said the masts were put up despite the lack of planning permission to meet the company's installation deadline.