An application has been put in to Huntingdonshire District Council by mobile phone giants O2 UK for the extra antennas, and the replacement of two existing ones, on the unused water tower on Bushmead Road, Eaton Socon.

Residents were informed of the plans through a letter from the district council, giving them until June 26 to comment.

And so far just over 50 concerned homeowners from surrounding roads, including Monarch Road, Bushmead Road, Viceroy Close, Duchess Close and Marshness Way, have added their names to a petition to stop the application being agreed.

Lynne Hickey, 48, who has lived on Monarch Road for 26 years, is concerned about the unknown effects the mobile phone masts could have on the health of her daughter and three grandchildren, aged six, four and seven-months, who also live along the road.

Mrs Hickey, who is running the petition, explained there is already about 30 antennas on the tower, with the first going up more than 15 years ago along the road which also homes Bushmead Primary school.

She said: "Apart from it being an eyesore, it's the implications of what can happen. You hear so many different thing, like there being cancer clusters. Some people say they are worried because there are a lot of children around here."

Huntingdonshire District Councillor for Eaton Socon Cllr Mandy Thomas said: "I believe many residents are very concerned about the additional antennas on the water tower and I fully intend to support their campaign."

O2 UK were unavailable for comment.