BT Cellnet has been refused permission to put up a 20-metre high mobile phone mast on the Leawood estate at Bridestowe.

Dartmoor National Park Authority turned down its application last week. The mast was intended to stand above the A386 at Shortacombe.

Even though BT proposed a tree-style mast, a design which the authority said it would be willing to consider, members voted against it on the grounds that it would affect the appearance of the park and be seen above the line of trees and from Great Links Tor, Blackdown and Vale Down.

BT contended that the mast was needed to improve coverage around the A386 and Lydford area. An earlier application was refused for the same reason.