The government wants business to work with the public

An official study of 109 phone masts - including 82 school sites and 27 at hospitals - delivered readings ranging from "hundreds to millions of times" below international guidelines.

The lowest reading was at Enniskillen Model Primary school which was 19m times below guideline levels.

The highest came at Aintree hospital in Liverpool where the reading was 700 times below the limit.

Telecoms Minister Stephen Timms said: "We are aware of public concerns and it is important to give the public the information they need.

"These results continue to show that exposure levels of the public are well below recommended limits.

"In 2003 it is likely there will be more mobile phones than fixed lines in the world, and with more than 45 million mobile users in the UK alone sending more than 45 million text messages a day, mobile phones are part of our everyday life.

Mobile masts are the foundations on which this communications revolution is built Stephen Timms Telecoms Minister

"Mobile masts are the foundations on which this communications revolution is built.

"This audit of mobile masts will continue in 2003, looking at schools and hospitals, before extending the study to other potentially sensitive sites."

Mr Timms added that he wanted the mobile phone industry to work closely with communities when putting up masts.

"They should consult with local groups, to lessen any impact on communities, and share infrastructure where possible," he said.

"Building public confidence is essential to building a strong future for the industry."