Controversial plans for a mobile phone mast disguised as a tree at Hassocks are set to be approved.

The 15m mast with three antennae and two transmission dishes will be sited on fields off London Road, if planners at Mid Sussex District Council agree.

The submission, by Orange, follows a similar application for a non-disguised mast, which was refused by councillors in August after more than 40 people living nearby petitioned against it.

Residents have been caught out by the latest application as they did not realise they needed to resubmit the petition until it was too late.

Ena Ockenden, 75, lives behind the proposed mast site and has written to the council with her objection.

She said: "It will be a blot on the landscape. Even though the mast will be disguised, there will still be a huge equipment cabin beneath it.

"I have lived here for 22 years and I love the beautiful views of the Downs. I don't want this to be spoiled and neither do lots of other people."

Steven Ballard, who lives off London Road, said there was widespread concern about the mast and added: "Lots of people do not want this mast. They didn't know they needed to object again."

Steve King, from Mid Sussex District Council, said: "The tree structure would be all man-made, with the equipment hidden inside the plastic trunk.

"The other application by Orange for this site was refused because we felt it was not suitable for the area.

"However, we have recommended this application for approval because it would not have an adverse effect on the surrounding areas."

An Orange spokeswoman said: "We are proposing a tree-style transmitter site because we believe this design will minimise the visual impact."