Campaigners were horrified to discover the Vodafone telecommunications mast at Ramshaw Field, near Whittington Lane, Unstone – claiming there were no adequate warnings it was going up from the company or NE Derbyshire District Council.

Vince Pykett, campaign organiser, said: "There are houses and a children's playground nearby. No one knows if masts are safe or have links to cancer and we feel there are better places.

"The council claims there was a public notice for us to raise concerns before planning permission was granted but we didn't see any and the first I knew was when I saw Vodafone had fitted a base."

Campaigners have collected 550 signatures on a petition to be handed to NE Derbyshire District Council, demanding that the mast is taken down or moved on the grounds it poses health dangers and the public were not aware of last year's application.

The 15m-tall mast is about 250m away from homes and Unstone Bottom Park, according to Mr Pykett, and campaigners complained there are too many masts in the area.

Mr Pykett (42), of Brierley Road, Unstone, added: "The mast is for train commuters and it seems the council is more worried about them. It's a terrible eyesore."

Campaigners held a public meeting in July to discuss the mast with Unstone Parish Council which had opposed the application over concerns for residents on nearby Whittington Lane and said it felt existing masts could be used.

A district council spokesman said: "There was a notice on Whittington Lane, Unstone Parish Council was consulted and the ward member was informed.

"There are no neighbours adjoining the mast area which might explain why no one saw the notice but the matter followed normal planning procedures."