IRATE campaigners headed for Downing Street waving placards to protest about a new policy for mobile phone masts.

Mast action groups from all over the UK met on Wednesday to protest about a new planning policy document published by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, which is expected to advise local government planners to ignore health concerns when considering applications for new masts.

Members of CRAM, the Concerned Residents against Masts, went to London in protest over a mast at Chalfont St Giles Middle School in Parsonage Road, Chalfont St Giles.

Messages on placards saying 'Mobile masts... Make Health the Issue' were prominently displayed on Parliament Green, opposite the House of Commons, for two hours before their trip to Downing Street, while protestors discussed their concerns with ministers.

Jane Harris of CRAM said: "Today we wanted to make our concerns known at the highest level and to make the Government acknowledge the health risks association with the siting of mobile phone masts and to do something about it."

A spokesman for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions said it would be publishing the documents, which are the results from a consultation last year, in 'due course'.

He said: "The planning authorities have to consult if it is near a school, and they have to consult with governors. They have to meet guidelines that are in place. The local planning authority can consider it over health concerns."