A phone mast which slipped through the system because of a blunder by planners has appeared on a council agenda - more than two years late and by mistake.

One2One, now named T-mobile, was granted permission to put up the antenna on the forecourt of the Texaco garage in Kingsway, Hove, by default in 2001.

The mast was allowed because Brighton and Hove City Council failed to lodge a formal objection within the 42-day time limit.

People living near to the mast, who continue to run a campaign to have it removed, feared its belated appearance before city planners could be due to plans to increase its power.

But council bosses have blamed a computer mistake for the fresh application appearing on an agenda.

Retired chartered surveyor Jerry Laurie, 74, has collected more than 30 files of information as he wages a one-man war on the mast.

His suspicions were aroused when a reference was made to the mast in an agenda for a council planning meeting.

The reference was spotted by Councillor Jenny Barnard-Langston, who asked why it was back on the agenda under delegated matters, which meant council officers would deal with it independent of elected councillors.

She said: "I asked the officers if they could explain why it was there with the phrase 'unique reasons'. They were unable to give me an explanation and said they would let me know."

The planning officers later emailed Coun Barnard-Langston and said the reference was a computer mistake.

Former town planner Mr Laurie, of Bath Court, King's Esplanade, fears the mast reappeared on the council's agenda in preparation for the introduction of third generation (3G) video phones, which require more powerful masts.

Mr Laurie said: "I'm waiting for them to try to do something with that mast.

"I think they will try to convert it to a 3G mast.

"These mobile phone companies have invested billions in the licences and technology and they have to be utterly ruthless and need a good take-up from the public.

"They have so much competition from other companies. It's fierce, it's secretive and they plan down to the last detail."