Cathy Warden discusses the campaign against the mobile mast

The site at the junction of Pankhurst Avenue and Queens Park Road, is one of more than 12 being considered by T-Mobile for 3G video phone masts.

The company said its masts are safe but it has invited comments about the plans in line with codes of practice.

"Nobody knows what the long-term health effects are," said mother Cathy Warden.

Campaigners say radiation experts cannot guarantee the 3G masts, which operate at higher frequency than normal masts, are completely safe.

The residential area near St Luke's where the mast would be sited

"The fact that we are worried about it is detrimental to our daily lives," said Ms Warden, whose three children go to St Luke's School and who is helping to organise a protest petition.

T-Mobile does not have to apply for planning permission because the mast is less than 15m tall but it does have to obtain a form of permission called prior approval.

The company said it understood residents' concerns but its network's signal strength was similar to those in people's homes from TV and radio.

It said it needed the new masts to meet demand for mobile phones.

But campaigner Paul Bonnet said: "This government talks about neighbourhood renewal and consultation with communities but things seem to be happening without any consultation with local people."