A national park authority is being accused of failing to stand up to the government over controversial communications masts.

On Friday, Dartmoor National Park Authority threw out plans for two masts on the moor but voted to allow an extension to another mast.

The masts are part of a national plan which aims to give the emergency services 100% radio communication coverage across the country.

Planning authorities such as Dartmoor feel they can not reject applications to build new masts on health grounds. Their objections are currently limited to those of visual intrusion.

One mast extention was approved

The plans for the new emergency services radio system uses what are known as Tetra masts.

Proposals by mm02, the former mobile arm of BT Group, to enlarge existing masts at Trendlebere and Widecombe in the Moor were rejected, but one for Yelverton was approved.

What worries campaigners is the mixed message the Dartmoor authority is sending out.

John Bainbridge of the Dartmoor Preservation Association said: "We think if the national park authority had taken a really bold stand against Tetra, it would have sent shockwaves to the government.

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"We don't think the government are listening or ever will listen if we get this sort of feeble response."

Graham Warr, the park authority's planning director, said: "If the government considered the masts were dangerous to health, they would have withdrawn the masts programme.

"The strong scientific evidence says that if there is a risk, it is a very minor one."