FAMILIES are fuming after a second mobile phone firm announced plans for a mast near to a school and a play area.

Orange wants to build a 12-metre high mast on Jubilee Road, May Bank, which cuts through Wolstanton Marsh and is close to May Bank Infants' School.

The company is seeking residents' feedback before submitting a planning application to Newcastle Borough Council.

The news comes after The Sentinel reported earlier this month that Vodafone wanted to build another 10-metre high mast on the same stretch of road.

Now residents are horrified at the prospect of both phone companies winning planning permission.

Victoria Taylor, aged 24, of Oxford Road, May Bank, said: "As a mother of two children and another on the way, I'm very worried about the effects on their health.

"I think one phone mast would be bad, but another would be double the trouble."

Ray Colley, aged 70, of Moreton Parade, May Bank, said there were better locations for the mast nearby.

He said: "Two phone masts so close to houses and a school is a bit much. There is hell up about it in May Bank."

Pensioner Kathleen Adams, of Cromer Street, May Bank, said the masts would spoil the appearance of the "lovely area".

She said: "Only this week, the marsh was covered with children. I do not like the idea of the mast being so close to my house. It seems they are trying to sneak these things in everywhere."

Jessica Birch visits the playground at Wolstanton Marsh up to four times a week with her two young children.

The 24-year-old, of Langley Street, Basford, said: "I'm worried about the health risks, such as cancer. There are plenty more places to put these things. They don't have to be so close to schools, houses and parks."

Vodafone says it needs to build the mast to provide mobile phone coverage for the Basford area.

The firm has considered other sites including the Wolstanton Bowling Club and The Victoria Public House.

A letter to residents states: "With the introduction of the new 3G mobile phone services there is a predicted growth for more 'data' traffic across the network. Orange needs to manage the growth of its network in anticipation of this by providing more mobile base stations."

May Bank councillor Simon Tagg said the companies could potentially win permission for two masts just yards away from each other.

He said: "I would urge residents to write to the operator and register their concerns."

Fellow May Bank councillor Ian Matthews said he was also concerned about the two proposals.

He said: "I don't think Jubilee Road in the middle of the Marsh is the right place for one 12 metre high mobile phone mast, let alone two."

Residents wanting to express their views to Orange should write to Community Relations Co-ordinator, Orange Ltd, Aquarius, 4520 Solihull Parkway, Solihull, West Midlands, B37 7YN, or e-mail site-information@orange-ftgroup.com