POLICE have told protesters they will mount a "heavy presence" when a mobile phone mast is finally connected in their local community.

Campaigners from Sheriff Hutton have been protesting against the 15ft pole which was erected in the Ryedale village more than two years ago.

Technicians will start work on Monday to connect the mast to the Orange network, which is expected to take five days to complete.

One of the leading campaigners, Linda Murphy, said the group has been allowed to protest but this will be under the watchful gaze of a "heavy police presence".

She said: "I have also been told that Orange will have its own security, which all seems a bit over the top.

"The police have told us that they are happy for us to protest but they want it to be done in a safe way.

"The mast should never have been allowed to have been put up in our village in the first place and it was foisted on us. We will be protesting but we will be doing so peacefully."

The storm of controversy was sparked when permission for the mast was granted by Ryedale District Council before residents had chance to lodge their protests.

Since then the authority admitted their error but said they were powerless to remove it.

Last year police were called to an angry scene when villagers confronted Orange contractors, preventing them from switching on the mast.

And to avoid a repetition of these events, Ryedale's Inspector, Helen Taylor, has vowed to station officers at the mast to allow villagers to protest "within the law."

Martin Grey, national government and community relations manager for Orange, told the Gazette & Herald: "Direct action by a limited number of residents has so far prevented the completion of works to allow the site to operate."

He said the radio base station site had been established at Daskett Hill, Sheriff Hutton in October 2005 to provide what he described as "the next generation of mobile broadband coverage" to the area.

Mr Grey said: "While Orange recognises the legitimate right to protest and routinely engages with a variety of stakeholders, including those opposed to our base stations, the vandalism and criminal damage at Sheriff Hutton is not only highly irresponsible, but has tied up valuable police resources.

"In consultation with North Yorkshire police, Orange remains committed to taking forward the lawful integration of the site."