A Carnarvon Road cancer victim is living in fear that her daughter could be at risk from radiation.

Freda Cousins, who is suffering from breast and liver cancer, lives just yards from the 16 mobile phone masts on top of Forest House in the South Woodford road.

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, Mrs Cousins revealed how she feared the masts were dangerous years ago and is now petrified after discovering that a cluster of cancer victims was living in the street.

She said: "I thought that there could be a link years ago and when we began talking I realised that there were a number of us with cancer, and my fears seem to be coming true.

"I have been suffering with cancer since 1996 and to think that it could have been caused by the masts is frightening.

"If a link is proven we'll have to move away from this road."

Freda Cousins, who first developed breast cancer in 1996, is still battling the disease after it spread to her liver.

While accepting that her own health has been damaged, she now fears for the safety of her daughter Emma.

She said: "It's a big worry for me. It's frightening to think that these masts could be giving out some sort of radiation when you have got children.

"I am desperate for the investigation to take place so I can be sure that Emma is safe."

For Mrs Cousins time is of the essence as she battles against her own illness and is now anxious for investigations to be speedy.

"We need the investigations to be done quickly. I hope they can progress quickly," she said. "If it is something serious, we need to know now. There is no point in taking years to find out. By then, it might be too late for my daughter and other children in the street."

Her 16-year-old daughter Emma is more than anxious for studies to be done into the possible link between masts and cancer.

And she is angry at the thought that her mother might have suffered unnecessarily.

Emma said: "I am afraid that I might get something like my mum has got. I am just mad about the whole situation."

The Woodbridge High School pupil, who is studying the issue of masts as a project at her Woodford Green school, is also adamant that if a link is proven the masts should be taken down immediately.

" We should not be the ones who have to move," she said. "We have lived here all our lives. The government should do something about it to help us."

November 22, 2001 13:01