DURING the past five years, whenever I see a protest about phone masts, I ask this same old question: do the phone mast protesters have mobile phones?

So far I have not had a reply.

Mobile phones need masts to work, and they have to be erected somewhere. Not just anywhere, they need to be placed where they will work, not on the moors out of the way.

If they don't put them in your back yard, they have to put them in someone else's.

So, unless you are willing to give up you mobile phones, don't protest if the companies put the masts where they need to go.

I have seen no evidence for or against the detrimental effects of phone masts, only people's unsupported fears.

If you are that afraid of the technology, get rid of your phones because the more phones people buy, the more masts will be needed.

W Elliott,

Kinbrace Road,

Hartlepool.

Updated: 09:53 Friday, August 27, 2004