CONCERNED residents have vowed to step up their fight against the erection of a phone mast in playing fields after a study revealed a link between high voltage power cables and cancer.

Members of CRAM (Concerned Residents Against Masts) used balloons on Sunday to mark out the height and position of the proposed 15m Vodafone mast in Bowstridge Lane Playing Fields, near Chalfont St Giles Middle School, in order to show how its impact on pupils and residents.

Fred Nolan, Chalfont St Giles parish councillor and chairman of the residents' association said: "The balloons were marked to how close they would be to the school, and where the range of emissions would be.

"There are growing concerns after last week's headlines about the pylons and that they cause cancer. It is a good job we are doing this."

The National Radiological Protection Board has accepted a link between pylons and cancer following a commissioned study.

Dr Andrew Lees, a resident of Arran Heights, Chalfont St Giles, said he was concerned about the possible health risk of the mast.

He added: "We don't know that radio frequency is safe so therefore it's a problem. The health risks means Vodafone should site masts away from sensitive sites like schools and residential areas."

Vodafone only needs to give two days notice to put up the mast but says they have delayed doing so in order to look at the concerns of residents.

David Danielli, a spokesman for Vodafone, said: "If it's not already done they should request a meeting with the EMF (electro magnetic field) advisory unit which if requested would be able to give them a presentation on health issues connected with radio base stations."

However Glyn Taylor, a member of CRAM, has accused the phone company of creating unnecessary delays.

In a letter addressed to residents, he said: "We need to regroup and start getting as many people as possible together to take up the fight again."