ANGRY villagers have vowed to continue their long-running protest against a controversial Ryedale mobile phone mast when its operator eventually comes to turn it on this week.

Orange put up the 15-metre mast in Sheriff Hutton in October 2005, but an ongoing campaign by residents has meant the device is still not operational.

Contractors were set to arrive in the village this morning to work on the installation. Work is expected to continue all week.

North Yorkshire Police will attend the site to ensure the protests remain peaceful.

John Botting, a member of the Sheriff Hutton Mast Protest Group, said villagers opposed the mast on health grounds, as well as having serious concerns about how the planning application for it had been handled.

When it was filed in 2005, officials from Ryedale District Council failed to lodge a protest against it within the allotted timescale, meaning Orange had the right to put it up anyway.

"The police have said they want to make sure there are no issues for the workmen," said. Mr Botting.

"Sheriff Hutton is a peaceful community, I think the greatest police involvement we've had in the village before this was a helicopter flying overhead."

In November, £40,000 of damage was caused to the mast when concrete was poured into the device.

Martin Grey, community relations manager for Orange, said the mast would provide mobile broadband coverage for the area. "While Orange recognises the legitimate right to protest and routinely engages with a variety of stakeholders including those opposed to our base stations, the vandalism and criminal damage at Sheriff Hutton was not only highly irresponsible but tied up valuable police resources.

"In consultation with North Yorkshire Police and Ryedale council, Orange will next week conclude the lawful integration of the site.

"With the agreement of the planning authority, the site now features new secure cabinet equipment to prevent further vandalism."

Addressing villagers' concerns over health, Mr Grey said: "There have now been over 30 independent expert review reports from across the globe published during the past six years, including two by the UK Health Protection Agency.

"In addition, Ofcom has undertaken more than 500 independent audits of base stations across the length and breadth of the UK, including many on or close to schools.

"The measurements from these audits show that emissions levels from base stations are typically small fractions of the international guidelines."

Parish council chairman Dave Weston said: "The decision by Orange to locate the mast so near to the centre of the village has caused a great deal of distress to families in the village for no commercial or operating benefit to Orange.

"The residents of Sheriff Hutton feel that they have been bullied and let down by Orange. It has affected the community, and now a numbers of young families intend to move house because of the mast."