DAVID Laws MP has declared his support for a law restricting the placing of mobile phone masts.

The Bill aims to bring mobile phone masts under strict planning control and bring in the 'precautionary principle', giving extra safeguards for schools, homes, and medical facilities from the risk of excessive radiation.

David Laws said: "The positioning of phone masts has upset many people in Somerset as masts have been put up close to schools, hospitals and residential areas.

"This Bill will allow planning authorities to take account of health concerns and will require the industry to produce more evidence about the radiation emitted, and to justify the need for each mast."