Mobile phone masts should be banned from council land and buildings because of health fears.

Liberal Democrats on Brighton and Hove City Council say existing towers should also be decommissioned.

There are 15 mobile phone masts, boosters or aerials sited on council property in the city.

A list showing where masts are situated on council property has now been produced.

Lib Dem group leader Paul Elgood said: "The list is longer than we expected. It includes residential blocks and even a booster aerial at a nursery school.

"In the light of renewed health concerns, we do not believe this is acceptable.

"We want the council to review its policy.

"It is not for the council to do this for mobile phone companies and many of these sites are close to homes or education buildings.

Labour city council leader Ken Bodfish said: "All the advice we have received is that they are safe."

There was not enough evidence for the council to take action.

One mast was at West Blatchington Infant School in Hove but it has been decommissioned.

There is also a booster for emergency services to the rear of the Acorn Nursery at The Rise site in Portslade.

The Acorn nursery is on land which is part of Portslade Community College in Mile Oak.

Principal Mike Tait said the booster had been there for at least ten years and had been installed before he came to the college.

He said: "We are now asking for it to be moved because of possible development at the site."

Wednesday December 03, 2003