People in Tynemouth Road are unhappy about plans to site the 15m mast near their homes.

Pensioner Margaret Bryden has collected a petition against the plans by mobile phone company O2 for the mast and ancillary telecommunications equipment.

Mrs Bryden, 67, said: "Nobody in the Tynemouth Road area is happy about this.

"I think the mast will be a real eyesore, plus the safety of mobile phone masts has still not been proven, so far as I'm concerned.

"I collected more than 60 names on the petition in no time at all, and I should think we'll have more than 100 signatures by the time we're finished."

The mast would be sited on a grass verge, near the junction with York Avenue and Tynemouth Road, not far from St Matthew's service station.

Mrs Bryden added: "I know a lot of the parents who have children at nearby St Matthew's School are unhappy about this as well.

"People around here have been more than willing to sign the petition. We plan to hand it into South Tyneside Council soon."

Coun Barrie Scorer, for the Primrose ward, said: "We will try to support the residents.
"But these applications are often best challenged on environmental or aesthetic grounds, rather than health or safety grounds.

"A similar mast was sited not far away, in York Avenue, Jarrow, despite objections from councillors.

"We understand residents' concerns and these will be taken on board."

South Tyneside Council has sent letters about the application to residents in and around Tynemouth Road.