Detractors in Clare claimed the mast would be a blot on the landscape and could pose health risks.

A similar tree mast has already been built at nearby Hundon, where residents said the "tree" was not convincing.

Anthony Lucas said: "It doesn't look a bit like a tree; it's made of plastic and we originally thought it would be hidden down in a valley."

The Clare Society's Anna Moore said that any tower would be ugly and lobbied the St Edmundsbury Borough Council to reject plans for the mast.

She said: "If we allow one unattractive mast, then the next thing you know we'll have a McDonalds.

"People should be able to get by without a mobile phone service and there are public phone boxes in the town."