Jan Catherall and partner Sarah Flint do not want the 11.4 metre high mast to be constructed because they are worried about the impact it could have on the health of eight-year-old Britney, who has encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain.

Pressure is now mounting on Vodafone to ditch its plans to build the mast on St Ninian Drive beside Dalneigh Primary School.

The application will be considered by Highland Council's area planning committee on 10th February, but already some parents have said they will withdraw their children from the school if it is given the go ahead.

Members of the community fear the mast, which would be disguised as a telegraph pole, could give off harmful radiation waves and pose an unnecessary health risk.

Mr Catherall says his step-daughter — a pupil at Drummond Primary School — should not have to live next door to the mast.

"We have a child with brain damage and feel very strongly that it would be far too close," he said. "You get some people saying there are links between mobile phone masts and serious illnesses and others who disagree, so if there is doubt the mast should not be put up.

"Britney has fits some times. What would happen if this mast went up and her fits were to increase? What would Vodafone say to that? Nobody from the company has come out here to explain anything about the mast.

Jan Catherall (left) with his step-daughter Britney Flint and concerned local resident Sylvia Watson.

"The mast should not be put in another residential area either or near any schools because children's brains are still under-developed. All the residents need to get together to stop this happening."

Now Dalneigh Residents Association (DRA) is planning to circulate a petition in light of the strength of opposition to the plans.

"I know a lot of mothers at the school and they have mentioned if the mast gets the go-ahead then they will withdraw their children," explained chairwoman Tracey MacPherson. "The DRA is working on a petition to go round each house in the locality to get a signature from every resident. We run a youth club and all the children have offered their services to help. We would like the whole community to come together and show support by signing it."

The council can only judge the Vodafone application on its planning criteria and does not consider health risk. That is the remit of the UK Government which is satisfied the masts do not pose any serious health risk.

The mast will improve mobile broadband coverage in Dalneigh and a spokesman for Vodafone said the company would be willing to meet residents to discuss the application, before it is considered by the planning committee.

"We recognise that some residents are concerned about the deployment of radio base stations and we take this concern extremely seriously," he said. "In the last eight years there have been over 30 independent expert reviews which have investigated health concerns and all have come to similar conclusions that there is no conclusive evidence of adverse health effects at exposures below international guidelines."

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