Homeowners say they fear for their health and have launched a petition against Vodafone Ltd's application to install three antennas on top of Yorkshire House.

Resident Rebecca Hodel-Jones said: "If in 50 years' time it is proved that these masts aren't dangerous, I won't mind. But at the moment we just don't know.

"You read reports in newspapers about the possible health implications of things like this.

"How can you enjoy living in your home, sleeping in your bed for eight hours a night, knowing this mast might cause you to have cancer?

"This is a residential area near a healthy living centre with sports facilities used by children. No mast should be built here."

The plans for two 300mm communications dishes and ancillary apparatus were handed to Wakefield Council's planning and highways department last week.

Castleford councillor Tony Wallis has objected to the plans. He said: "I opposed this at the pre-consultation stage and I am not happy an application has still been made. I do not support this location as it is in a residential area.

"The site is next door to a club, which holds family events, and across the road from sports ground where amateur sport takes place and spectators include    children."

Documents included in the application say the antennas would be mounted off steel pole mounts above the building's parapet and handrails would be installed for future maintenance.

A spokesman for Vodafone said: "The proposed Vodafone radio base station at Yorkshire House is required to improve the 3G coverage to our customers in the area.

"This location was chosen as it provides a roof top location where the proposed base station will not be visually intrusive.

"All our base stations are designed and operated in accordance with stringent international guidelines. Typical public exposures from our base stations will be many hundreds, if not thousands, of times below these guidelines."