City councillors have called for mobile phone companies to liase more closely with each other when choosing sites for masts.

The call comes after an increase in applications for masts on top of buildings in the Brunswick and Adelaide area of Hove.

Liberal Democrat councillor Dawn Davidson said: "At the moment we have applications from the same company for two sites just streets away. This is madness.

"If the companies must make these applications it is a great shame one suitable, non-residential site cannot be found for all of these masts."

Brighton and Hove City Council has received applications for antennae and other equipment on three sites in Brunswick and Adelaide.

They are at the Dudley Hotel, Lansdowne Place; Sussex House, above the Litten Tree, Western Road; and The Old Market Centre, Upper Market Street.

Councillors say that a recent application for a mast at Embassy Court was rejected and three others were received for sites on other buildings .

Coun Paul Elgood, leader of the city council's LibDem group, said: "We are being overwhelmed by applications for mobile phone masts in the ward.

"Residents are extremely unhappy about this in such a densely populated area and we will be objecting to each one.

"They are concerned about possible health problems but planning policy does not currently take this into account.

"They have said they would be happy to have poorer reception for their mobile phones if it meant fewer masts near their homes."