Mobile phone company Orange will seek an alternate site for a controversial telecommunications mast that was accidentally given permission in Pinner.

Shortly before Christmas, residents were aghast at plans by the firm to locate the 11.5m-high structure on a grass island close to the junction of Rayners Lane and Grove Road.

Many voiced concerns about the health implications, especially given the number of nearby houses and schools, as well as the fact it would be out of character with the surrounding area and could harm wildlife.

They struck up a petition calling on Harrow Council to reject the application and were assured by council officers that this would happen.

Unsurprisingly, the opponents were left stunned and upset when Harrow Council admitted earlier this month that it had sent its letter of refusal one day too late - handing Orange approval on a technicality.

Following complaints from constituents, Gareth Thomas, Labour MP for Harrow West, spoke to Orange yesterday to persuade them not to take advantage of the council's error.

He said: "They confirmed to me that they were willing - because of the community concern - to find an alternate site as long as the council works with them.

"The mast needs to be in the Pinner area. There used to be a telephone exchange within about 50 yards from the proposed site which had all sorts of masts on it until it became housing, and they want a replacement for that."

Peter Miller, 59, of Rayners Lane, Pinner, said: "It looks very good to me. Gareth Thomas spoke to someone quite senior at Orange who gave assurances that they would be flexible if Harrow Council can get their act together and provide an alternate site.

"They did say, I believe, the onus does have to be on Harrow Council to do just that.

"One of our concerns, though, is that Orange have got the right to turn up tomorrow with a JCB and start work so we hope Orange give Harrow Council enough time and that Harrow Council fasttracks it through.

"We're still unhappy about the original error. It could have been a disaster. It was a mast this time but we could have been left with a nuclear power station in the middle of Pinner!"