An area committee two has set aside £4,000 to investigate the microwaves emissions coming from the 16 mobile masts on top of Forest House, Carnarvon Road, Woodford.

Councillors from Bridge, Church End, Monkhams and Roding wards agreed to part with cash from their discretionary budget to allay residents' fears after a cancer cluster appeared next to the masts.

Using specialist equipment, the National Radiological Protection Board will pick eight sites in consultation with residents, to check the level of radiation emitted from the masts.

Committee co-chairman of the committee said: "My hope is that this very important monitoring exercise will help alleviate local residents fears. It is the first of its kind to be carried out and hopefully the investigation at this site will be used as a standard or reference for the rest of the borough."

The other co-chairman cllr Ian Bond added: "I will continue to press the government to give research on microwaves a higher priority. Meanwhile I hope that residents will not worry unduly.

Whilst there are still unanswered questions, remember people such as train drivers, power station workers and air traffic controllers spend much of their lives close to electro-magnetic radiation.

"There is no evidence of adverse health consequences for these groups."

November 15, 2001 11:00