Councillors are to launch a full inquiry into the possible health risks of mobile phone masts in the district.

Bradford Council's environment scrutiny committee will become the first in the authority to hold an official Commission into an issue that isn't directly under its control.

The findings will be published and lead to overall Council policy when planning applications are made.

An independent chairman will be chosen for the hearing at the end of November at the Business and Innovation Centre in Angel Way, Bradford.

Scrutiny committee chairman Councillor Keith Thomson said it would operate in the same way as a Parliament-ary Select Committee with evidence given by experts before the committee published its report.

Coun Thomson added that witnesses would include representatives from the mobile phone industry and protest groups. Scientific and medical evidence would also be heard. Experts who took part in the Government's Stewart report into phone masts would be invited to the Commission, which would be open to the public.

Coun Thomson said: "Scrutiny committees are being encouraged to do innovative things - not just sit and study officers' reports but look at external things.

"Almost every other week there is a planning application for a mast somewhere in the district and every time there are residents against it."

Edith Hall, of Kipling Court, Green-gates, campaigned unsuccessfully with other residents to prevent a mobile phone mast from being installed about 300 yards from their homes, and today she welcomed the inquiry.

She said: "This mast has actually been extended since it was put in and there are more and more antennae."

Councillor Ann Ozolins (Lib Dem, Idle), who successfully pressed for controversial planning applications for masts to go to the area planning panels instead of being decided by officers, said she was delighted.

She added: "I absolutely agree the Council does need a clear policy.

"I am glad Bradford is leading the way as a Beacon authority when some other planning departments are ducking the issue. It is time to bite the bullet.