PHONE mast protestors are calling a meeting with council officials to register their strength of opposition after Vodafone submitted a third application to erect a pole in the Lilford Park area.

They claim an application dated September 13 was withdrawn because of a technical fault and a corrected version dated September 27 submitted in its place.

In February the company had plans for an 18ft mast at the Lions bridge water pumping station refused following residents' objections, now they have reapplied to erect a 12m high slimline pole adjacent to Lilford Park brook in Elmridge, Leigh.

Campaigner David Sykes, of Westrees, Leigh, claims the company are employing a machine gun policy with their applications which makes a mockery of their right to sustain their objections.

He said: "It's a nonsense to come up with exactly the same proposals time after time hoping that the opposition will tire of opposing.

"Once that mast goes up it will be the thin end of the wedge and some of us will have to live with the problems it creates for a long time.

"When does a loss of amenity cease to be a loss of amenity when the mast, the historic woodland and the children's play area are in virtually the same juxtaposition each time the application is submitted? At 13.6m or 30m high, the view is still impaired and a 13.6 m mast can never pose as a 7m street lamp."

Fellow campaigner David Isherwood, of Elmridge, said: "There is yet another planning application A/05/65117 dated 27/09/05 for a mast in the same spot as A/05/64996 dated 13/09/05.

"I have checked at Wigan planning and it is not a hoax with the application and an officer there tells me that Vodafone can apply each week and that Wigan MBC are obliged to process it. Plus, previous letters of objection can't be taken into account.

"I would suggest that any more letters we send should include words to the effect that 'This is now the third application for a phone mast close to Lilford park.

Should this application fail or be withdrawn, I also want the council to note my continued objections to any subsequent applications of a close nature and made within close proximity to this one'."

Vodafone were unable to comment before deadline.