A furious farmer is joining forces with residents to fight plans to install a communications mast on a park he gave to the public.

John Greening donated Tilsley park in Abingdon to Vale of White Horse District Council 16 years ago.

Like more than 400 residents who have signed two petitions, he is angry about Vodafone's plans for a 20m mast on the site, which already has a 15m one.

"I did not donate this land so the Vale could make money by allowing a health-endangering mast on it," said Mr Greening, who now lives in Cheltenham.

Residents, pupils from Longfurlong School, and about 20 clubs use the facilities at the park, which is named after the farmer's son, John Tilsley Greening, who died in a road accident in 1979. Park user Dr Barbara Johnson, of Rose Avenue, said: "It's wholly inappropriate to put a mast in an area used by so many people on a regular basis."

Vodafone spokesman David Danielli said there was no substantial evidence communications masts were health hazards, adding the mast would be 150m away from homes.

Story date: Thursday 23 March

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