MOBILE phone giant Orange has insisted cost was not a factor in refusing to disguise a new phone mast as a tree.

The company secured planning permission for the 25-metre high lattice mast on land at Far Lands Hall Farm, Withgill, Clitheroe, on Tuesday.

In a report to the planning and development committee of Ribble Valley Council, councillors were told that Orange had not opted for a mast disguised as a tree because they 'were the more expensive option'.

But at the meeting, officers told councillors that Orange had disagreed with that statement, insisting that a tree-covered mast was not suitable in that location.

The firm said in a statement it used masts which look like trees in areas where they are among evergreen trees, or in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

In the location it had chosen at the farm, the mast would be with trees which do shed leaves, which would make the tree-like mast stand out more than a lattice one.

The firm also said that with tree-like masts, the actual antennae for sending signals had to be placed five metres below the top of the mast, and that would have made it pointless installing a mast at that location.

The mast is being put up to improve network coverage in the Clitheroe area.

Tree-like masts have been used in other areas of East Lancashire, including Baxenden. One is also proposed for countryside near to Darwen.