ELDERLY residents are warning people to be on their guard against mobile phone masts - after a bid to place one on their sheltered housing complex.

The residents, of Leconfield House, say although the application, by telecommunications company Orange, was turned down, others are in the offing in the vicinity.

Eric Baxter, 71, said: "This one has been knocked back but they have put applications in for other buildings. And Orange will not stop.

"We want people around here to be aware of this. We just feel people should know what's happening. It is no good sitting in a chair and looking blank. It is not just our building. It would affect the people around if there was any danger."

Mr Baxter and his neighbour, Norman Jones, also 71, say they are angry at the way the application was handled.

Only two small notices were posted at the rear of the building, when the main entrance is on Springs Lane. The men only just had time to rally support and lodge objections, within the 21-day notice period, after it was brought to their attention by another resident.

Mr Baxter said: "It was done in such a sneaky way. Ninety-odd per cent of people come in the front door. They put them facing out on to Cowpasture Road. Most people would never see them. We are really annoyed."

Mr Jones added: "It is difficult to read. Some people here can hardly see. They do not stop and take notice."

The friends are also concerned that the company was exploiting the fact that some of the residents were elderly and infirm.

Mr Jones said: "Quite a lot of people do slow down. I do not see why people should be taken advantage of just because they are mature in years. It is just not on at all."

The men also believe the matter should have been brought to their attention by their housing association, the Johnny Johnson Trust.

John Corris, regional manager of the trust, said he had not consulted residents as he had refused to give his support to the application when contacted by a PR company, on behalf of Orange.

He did, however, have more bad news for the residents. Orange is hoping to resubmit an application - and has now attached a £3,500 cash 'sweetener' a year to rent the space.

A letter has been dispatched to residents explaining the situation and asking them to take a vote. Mr Corris said: "No further application will be made until they have heard from ourselves.

"We feel at this stage, because there is a figure, which could benefit them, that we should consult with the residents."

Tony Clegg, planning officer at Ilkley Town Hall, said Orange had been turned down on the basis of design, as they planned to place three vertical antennae and two circular microwave dishes on the roof, as well as two equipment cabins.

Mr Clegg said there was nothing to suggest that future applications would also be turned down.

He said: "There was a timber enclosure to the equipment cabins that would be three metres high. The council's refusal of the application was based around that. If they (Orange) could overcome that, there is every possibility that the council's approval would be given."

Councillor Audrey Brand, of Ilkley Parish Council, said: "It is diabolical that they're thinking of putting one on top of Leconfield House.

"They know elderly people live there and that is taking advantage, almost. It is just totally wrong to do that. Our policy is that we refuse phone masts on principle.

"It has not been proved that they are not a health hazard. Our recommendations are then sent to Bradford City Council."