RESIDENTS in Partington campaigning against plans to site a mobile phone mast on land adjacent to their houses won a mini victory this week.

There is already a Vodafone mast on the land at Williams Casco, Wood Lane, Partington, which was erected nine years ago directly behind houses on Wood Lane.

Two weeks ago campaigners lost their fight to stop the phone giants erecting a new mast on the land, further away from the houses, when planning chiefs voted to allow the mobile phone giants to erect the larger pole.

But in a dramatic turn of events, Thomas Varty, who owns the land at Williams Casco, has terminated the contract between himself and Vodafone for the smaller mast.

He told SAM: "When we bought the premises that mast was already up. I would not have put that up so close to houses, it's ridiculous.

"I have every sympathy with the people, but it's still 50/50 whether phone masts harm people or not and we've got to do our best by everybody."

The campaigners are now hoping Mr Varty will change his mind over the new mast that will be located further away from the houses.

Local resident Lynn Horton said: "We are obviously really pleased. Mr Varty is trying really hard to accommodate everyone."

Thomas Varty is still considering what to do about the new monopole, which was given planning approval at the beginning of August. He said: "We will make a decision before long, but we will discuss it with the residents first. We shall be very, very fair."