Mother Nikki Boorer is furious a mobile phone mast was put up just feet from her family's bedrooms.

The mast was put up outside their home on the corner of Windlesham Close and High Street in Portslade despite a petition and letters of objection being sent to Brighton and Hove City Council.

Ms Boorer, 43, who works in a solicitor's office, has written to Portslade ward councillors Leslie Hamilton and Steve Collier and Hove MP Ivor Caplin.

She is also contacting the local government ombudsman as she feels residents were not supported in their campaign against the mast.

She said: "Despite objections from residents, a petition and emails and correspondence from Councillor Hamilton the mast was erected without further notice.

"I was informed by the council when I first telephoned with my objection to the mast that we could not object on the grounds of health nor that the mast would be out of place.

"Portslade Village is a conservation area. The mast most certainly does look out of place.

"As far as the health grounds are concerned, the safety issues are not proved either way and I feel more research should be carried out before these masts are sited in residential areas."

Ms Boorer said she was not against mobile phones or the technology but believed careful consideration should be given to the siting.

The mast outside her home is just 12ft from the bedroom windows.

She said: "I'm absolutely appalled they can put it right outside our home.

"My son said we could just move but I've only been here about 18 months. I think people are becoming more aware of the issues surrounding these masts and it could have an effect on the value of my property."

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "Mobile phone masts under 15m-high generally do not require planning permission but the telecoms operator is required to notify the planning authority, which can comment on the proposed siting.

"Under the old regulations, now replaced, the authority had 42 days to respond to them but unfortunately our comments did not meet the deadline.

"Our response was that we were concerned about the adverse visual impact of the mast."

A spokeswoman for Orange said: "Orange acknowledges public concern regarding the siting of transmitters.

"However, there is no conclusive evidence that makes a link between exposure to radio waves, transmitter masts and long-term public health risks.

"A typical Orange transmitter site operates at levels many hundreds of times below national and international guidelines in areas where the general public would have access."