FAMILIES in Winterbourne are claiming victory after a phone company abandoned plans to put up a mobile phone mast outside a village school.

Phone company 02 had caused outrage among parents, councillors and residents when it announced in March it wanted to erect a mast outside Elm Park Primary School, in Nicholls Lane.

Protesters launched a campaign, supported by Northavon MP Steve Webb, to block the mast, fearing of its potential effect on pupils' health.

And last week, to their delight, 02 relented and ditched the mast plans.

Elm Park School governor Cath Baines said: "We are delighted with the phone company's decision.

"We cannot complain about how 02 have acted. Once we proved there was large opposition to their plan, they agreed to meet us and have since been looking at alternative sites for the mast.

"It is our priority as school governors to protect teachers' and pupils' safety."

Mr Webb, who had chaired talks between the protesters and O2 executives, said it was "very welcome news".

He said: "On any understanding of a precautionary approach to the siting of masts, it is very undesirable to place them right next to a primary school.

"There was already evidence that the threat of the mast was discouraging some parents from applying to the school, so I am delighted that this threat appears to have been lifted.

"Great credit is due to the parents and governors who campaigned so effectively."

02 is now investigating two alternative sites in the village; the junction between Cloisters Road and Nicholls Lane and on the Gents Toilets, in Flaxpits Lane Car Park.

Spokeswoman for 02 Angela Johnson said: "We met with the local residents and it was soon obvious they were not happy with our plan, so we have agreed to look at alternative sites.

"We do try whether possible to achieve a site by negotiation with local people rather than bowling in and putting a mast where we like."