Campaigners against mobile phone transmitters have been left with a sour taste in their mouths this week.

Barnet Council has banned the controversial masts from its own buildings and land ,, despite phone companies offering premium rates for sites.

Something serious must be afoot for cash-strapped Barnet to turn down the offer of money ,, it would appear the council is covering its tracks over potential litigation if a health risk emerges.

All well and good one might think. Well, not quite say residents. When it comes to masts elsewhere, Barnet is compliantly rolling over and wagging its tail, all because councillors say they have no powers to stop the masts.

At neighbouring Harrow Council, however, it is a different story entirely. It has blocked 12 out of 12 applications in recent months. Mobile phone company One2One has no plans to challenge Harrow's stance.

So surely Barnet must take a more proactive approach to siting masts in sensitive places.