Residents have won a double victory against mobile phone firms wanting to put up masts in Mid Sussex.

Planners last night threw out bids to install masts on land at Little Park Farm in Hurstpierpoint and at the corner of Cants Lane and Kings Way in Burgess Hill.

The decisions followed intense lobbying campaigns by residents concerned about health and safety risks, and the appearance of the masts.

Last night's meeting of Mid Sussex District Council's South Planning Committee was standing-room-only as protesters rallied to oppose the mast applications.

T-Mobile already owns a 15m mast on Little Park Farm but mobile phone operator Orange wanted to share and extend it to 21m.

But residents in nearby Trinity Road feared it would be a blot on the landscape, and pose a threat to nearby homes, St Lawrence School, a health centre and accommodation for elderly people.

But government guidance says that health concerns cannot be taken into account by planners.

Alan Burns, who lives about 20m from the mast, said: "We're delighted by the last night's decision. It was as good a result as we could hope for.

"The visual impact would be horrendous - the mast would be higher than all the trees and would even compete with the church tower. We know they can't take the health factors into account, but we tried to raise them as much as possible.

"But we're not complacent. We know there's likely to be an appeal, and we want to be involved every step of the way."

When the mast was originally installed three years ago it did not need planning permission.

But since then Mid Sussex District Council has changed its policy, meaning all operators need permission for masts.

T-Mobile UK wanted to erect an 11.7m mast at Cants Lane and Kings Way.

District council officers drew up reports recommended refusing both mast applications on account of the visual obtrusiveness.

Chairman Councillor Patrick Cutler expected both Orange and T-Mobile to appeal against the decisions within their six-month deadlines.

He said: "Our officers are confident that under the circumstances, bearing in mind the height and size of these masts, we can put up a strong case.

"These masts are big enough that they would be substantial blots on the landscape."

Studies have not found any proven health risks of masts. But the independent Stewart Report of 2000 recommended a "precautionary" approach to allowing new masts.

Orange had argued that alternative sites to Little Park Farm, at Wanbarrow Farm and at Hurstpierpoint College, were unsuitable.

T-Mobile had considered five other locations in Burgess Hill.