IT might sound like mission impossible. A village is trying to tell its youngsters to spend less time chatting on their mobile homes.

The plea comes from Colehill Parish Council, which is concerned about potential health risks and says kids should only be using their phones in emergencies.

It is urging the district council to launch a campaign educating people about what it sees as health risks associated with mobile phone use.

Cllr John Bell said: "It is my belief that the radiation emissions one gets from the masts are less than from the handsets.

"We have sent a message to East Dorset District Council recommending that they promote the idea of getting people not to use their phones except for emergencies and important things - not to chat.

"Mobile phones are wonderful things for safety. I have one but only use it on the rare occasions when I'm going to be late picking up my wife.

"I would like to see the district council and county council put on a campaign with a slogan 'Don't hug your mobile phone'."

Concern over mobile phones has been mounting in Colehill after the district council granted permission for a fourth mobile phone mast on the Cannon Hill Plantation in Colehill.

The masts have been branded an eyesore by residents but have also sparked concern from a nearby school that radiation emissions must be strictly monitored.

A vast amount of research has been carried out into mobile phone handsets. In 2000, the government-commissioned Stewart Report into potential risks of phones recommended children under 16 only use their phones for emergency calls. It also concluded there was no evidence of adverse health effects from mobile phone base stations.

Recent research from Denmark and Sweden has not found an association between brain tumours and mobile phone use.

All handsets in the UK comply with health and safety guidelines.

First published: August 18