Angry residents protested outside a Brighton fire station against plans to put up a mobile phone mast there.

More than 20 demonstrators picketed Roedean fire station in Brighton yesterday after discovering the fire brigade was in talks with One2One.

They are furious they were not consulted before planning permission was given for the erection of an antennae on top of the station's training tower.

Brighton and Hove City Council has also given permission for a One2One antennae to be placed on top of Preston Circus fire station in the city.

Residents there remained unaware of the proposals yesterday.

East Sussex Fire Brigade has given permission in principle but says it has still to make a final decision on whether the proposals can go ahead.

A spokesman for the Sussex branch of the Fire Brigades Union said: "At present we are opposed to the installation of masts at fire stations due to the unproven health risks and because they are in residential areas.

"The general feeling among the 80 to 90 people working at Preston Circus and the 32 at Roedean is against the proposals."

He said he had only been made aware of the move last week.

Residents brandished placards outside the station after learning of a visit by Len Richards, Assistant Chief Fire Officer for East Sussex Fire Brigade and One2One representatives.

Mr Richards told the protesters no decision had yet been taken and plans were in their early stages.

He said: "The most important consideration from my point of view is the health of my staff and the people in the vicinity."

He said station staff would also be given a say.

Mr Richards appeared unaware planning permission had already been granted when he told residents to use the planning process to make their objections.

John Dunn, of Cliff Road, said: "I've been here 18 years but will sell my house if this goes ahead. I will not sleep next to a mast."

One2One said it was awaiting final approval from the brigade but hoped the masts could be in place by November.