by MATTHEW NIXSON

Anti-mobile phone mast campaigners took their battle to the Greater London Assembly on Monday.

A 1,000-signature petition against a transmitter at Barnet fire station was handed to Green Party member Darren Johnson.

He said: 'Siting mobile phone masts is quite a lucrative business but that doesn't mean health risks or the wishes of residents should be ignored.

'I have had numerous residents from all over London contacting me about phone masts. I will be taking this matter up with the Mayor and I want to ensure the GLA takes a clear line.'

Mr Johnson's response has given renewed vigour to opponents of the controversial Vodaphone mast at the Station Road site who believe it may pose a threat to health.

They have reacted angrily since it was installed in May in a deal worth around £10,000 a year to the cash-strapped fire service.

Leicester Road resident Voula Grand, of Barnet Residents Action Against Telecommunications Towers, said: 'At the time we had no opportunity to make our views heard and potentially stop it.

'We are feeling hopeful that if we can reopen the planning issue we can put pressure on the planning authority to turn it down.'

As a local authority Barnet has limited powers to object to masts unless they are more than 15 metres tall or sited in conservation areas. However, as the Barnet & Potters Bar Times revealed last month, this has not stopped the borough banning transmitters from council buildings.

mnixson@london.newsquest.co.uk