There are no plans to draw up a map of mobile phone masts in Brighton and Hove, The Argus can reveal.

City council bosses have dismissed calls for a map showing mast sites because they do not want to spend money on it.

Instead, they plan to rely on a national database being put together by the Government, which is expected to be available later this year.

Confirmation that Brighton and Hove City Council will not draw up its own map came after The Argus launched an appeal for one last year.

The campaign is backed by former mayor Jenny Langston who has asked Chris Morley, executive councillor for environment and housing, why one has not been produced.

She said there were as many as 52 applications for masts with the council at any one time.

Conservative councillor Langston said: "The purpose of mapping will undoubtedly strengthen any argument against sites in Brighton and Hove.

"It is time the council took a firm view on when the plethora of masts springing up across the city will stop. I support the many residents who are saying enough is enough."

A city council spokeswoman said there were no plans to draw up such a map.

She said: "It would be a huge task and is not something the council feels it wants to commit resources to at the moment."

The latest list of planning applications includes four masts and antennae. These include three antennae and five equipment cabins at Embassy Court on the seafront in King's Road, Brighton.

Other applications are for an antenna on a flagpole at Harewood Court, Wilbury Road, Hove.

There is also a plan for eight-metre poles at Bazehill Road, Rottingdean, and Dyke Road Avenue, Hove.

The Argus has campaigned for all mobile phone mast sites in Sussex to be put on a map and a national database set up.

It follows fears of possible health risks from masts for people living close to masts.

Coun Langston believes the city council should be encouraging mobile phone companies to switch to satellite technology.

She also wants the council to lobby the Government to come up with a definitive answer to the question of possible health risks from mast emissions.

She said: "I understand new guidance from the Government still refuses to allow councils to take into account the possible health risks.

"This makes it all the more serious that the council takes a view on the siting and the size of any masts it allows."