Mobile phone mast building may be curbed in Northern Ireland after the Northern Ireland Executive backed proposals for tougher planning regulations.

Environment Minister Sam Foster made the announcement after informing the executive of his department's consultation process on the control of masts.

New laws requiring full planning permission for all phone masts will be put before the assembly in the autumn.

Many communities across Northern Ireland have campaigned against phone masts over fears that low level radiation could pose a health risk to people living near the ariels.

'Balance'

Mr Foster said that a balance had to be found between public concern about possible effects on health and the growing need for mobile telephone services to support the development of the economy.

He said: "On balance the executive committee felt that the best way forward was for full planning permission procedures for all new masts."

Campaigners against mobile phone masts have said the measures do not go far enough.