THERE will be little rest for parents of a Watford primary school this festive season, as the stop clock begins to tick for their objections to the extension of a telephone mast they originally contested four years ago.

Parents and local residents of Orchard Primary School in Gammons Lane, Watford, have just 14 days left to lodge their objections to the mobile telecommunications company Orange's recent proposal to extend the 25ft telephone mast, which was granted planning permission, despite stern objections, four years ago.

The construction of the mobile telephone mast, featuring three antennae, currently situated at the centre of the school's main playground, made headline news in 1996 following a catalogue of fears and concerns for both the health and safety of the school's pupils.

Concerns surrounding its placement were re-fuelled at the start of last year when the Government backed the Stewart report, which failed to rule out the possibility of health risks to those living, or working within close proximity of mobile phone masts.

However, the reports failure to scientifically justify such fears, led the Government to rule that planning objections for telephone masts could not be made on the grounds of health and safety.

An aggrieved parent and local resident Mrs Julie Langdale, whose youngest daughter Faye, aged nine, currently attends the school, said: "I cannot believe that they are now asking for an extension on this mast.

"Four years ago we fought the construction of this eye-saw, and now they are asking us for our views on the extension of it.

"It would appear our efforts to respond and heartfelt objections have been ignored from the onset, why are they bothering to ask us for them again now."

Mrs Langdale, who was at the forefront of initial objections for the mast to be situated at the school her eldest daughter, Lana, then attended, is reviving the support of neighbours and fellow parents in fighting the new proposal to extend the mast to feature ten antennae.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council,, said: "The form of agreement we have with Orange allows them to upgrade their equipment and carry out certain works on site.

"However, as the proposed upgrade involves changes to the size of the compound at the foot of the mast, we are querying whether or not the proposal falls wholly within the agreement that they have with us."