Villagers are rallying opposition against plans to install a 21m-high mobile phone mast.

More than 120 people have signed a petition outlining their fears about the scheme at Blackboys Nursery in Uckfield.

Communications giant Orange has applied for a second time to Wealden District Council for permission to locate a camouflaged mast and ground-based cabinets.

But the proposal has been met with staunch resistance from some residents, who say it could be a health risk and would blot a beautiful landscape.

Father-of-one Jeff Lyons, 40, who lives 150m from the site, said: "It's going to look disastrous, spoiling the fantastic views that many people come to Blackboys for.

"Apart from that, the health risks cannot be ruled out. As someone whose wife is due to give birth in August, I'm very worried, as are a lot of people round here."

Protesters of all ages turned out with anti-mast placards in front of a hydraulic platform similar to the height of the proposed mast.

They are pleading with the nursery's owners to look beyond the financial rewards they stand to gain from Orange.

Nursery owner Philip Flagg was sympathetic to the residents' concerns but said: "As with any sustainable business that is part of the rural economy we need to consider how to fund the investment to support it."

Mr Lyons said: "We understand the need for masts, just not so close to where families live."