AN EXPERT in microwave research will warn people in Dorchester of the potential horrors he claims a new telecommunications mast would bring to the town.

Barrie Trower will argue at a public meeting that at least three per cent of residents living near the proposed mast site will fall ill as a result.

He says women, children and the elderly will be most at risk from the symptoms, which he claims range from leukaemia and sleep deprivation to depression and migraines.

A planning application has been submitted by Airwave O2 to erect the Terrestrial Trunked Radio (Tetra) mast on top of the Keep Military Museum in Bridport Road.

If approved it will provide a secure digital radio network for the emergency services.

The firm says the 'innovative mast' falls well within radiation emission requirements and will benefit Dorchester.

But councillors Leslie Phillips and David Barrett organised the meeting after residents aired their fears over potential health risks.

Mr Trower, a scientific adviser to the Radiation Research Trust, will be speaking at the meeting. In October last year he addressed the National Assembly for Wales on the topic.

"I'll argue there will be a minimum of three per cent of the population living near the mast that will fall ill," he said.

"They won't know initially the mast is to blame. Doctors aren't trained to recognise the symptoms so they'll be looking for problems that aren't there."

Mr Trower said he would present the latest research into associated health risks at the meeting.

"We've seen leukaemia clusters and hundreds of people ill around these masts, but nothing is said or done," Mr Trower said.

"Right now there's no law to touch it. Until the bubble bursts and there's a full public enquiry they're going to keep getting away with it."

Mr Trower, the author of the Tetra Report for the Police Federation of England and Wales, urged people to attend the meeting.

"If you're interested in your family's health, come along," he said. "The whole thing is a horror story from start to finish."

Radiation Research Trust chairman Mike Bell and West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin will also speak at the meeting.

Coun Barrett added: "No long-term studies have yet been completed that can reassure the public there's no risk to their health from the emissions of these masts.

"The effect of these masts, with exposure to radiation levels and pulsing effects, is a very worrying and serious concern."

But Airwave O2 spokesman Ray Weldon played down fears, adding: "Our proposal is wholly compliant with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection requirements.

"Not only does our proposal meet emission levels, it's actually hundreds if not thousands of times less than them. That's all we can do, we don't set the levels."

The meeting starts at 7.30pm next Friday at the Corn Exchange in North Square.