A Portslade man has launched a petition to stop a mobile phone mast being put up next to his home.

Peter Russell-Davis has spent years fighting proposals for the mast Old Shoreham Road.

Residents along his road have succeeded in heading off proposals by a variety of mobile phone companies trying to build nearby.

But on Friday, Mr Russell-Davis, 32, a project manager in London, discovered workmen laying foundations for Orange on land next door to his home.

The land was once occupied by a BT telephone exchange and then a house that burned down.

Because the mast is under 15 metres high it did not need to go through full planning procedures and residents were given 42 days to lodge objections.

Mr Russell-Davis said: "The council objected to the mast because it was so close to houses but did so after the deadline."

He and other residents failed to lodge objections because they were unaware of the plans.

The notice of intention to erect the mast was posted on a plot of private land in nearby Carlton Terrace, where there is access to the site.

He is adamant there wasn't a notice near his home.

Mr Russell-Davis said: "I have three children and there are two schools just a stone's throw away.

"I am going to take legal advice to see if I can get an injunction to stop the work."

A spokesman for Orange said: "We believe the gate where we erected the notice is clearly visible from the road leading to the entrance to the exchange."