The council is trying to get the mast, which was put up in Exning Road close to the town's new leisure centre and Newmarket College about two months ago, taken down.

Forest Heath Council planning officers have admitted it was their blunder which allowed the 02 mast to go up without any discussion or consultation with nearby residents or businesses, including the college.

Richard Watson, the district's head of planning, said the situation was "irretrievable" but town councillor Mick Jefferys, who is a teacher at the college, said: "I don't accept that.

"I thought there was always the precautionary principle that where there was any doubt about health risks associated with masts they would not be put up, particularly near schools.

"Having what looks like a drainpipe sticking out in front of the new swimming pool is an eyesore. It is horrible and it should not be there."

A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council, which is thought to own the land, said: "The location of the 02 phone mast is just inside the highway boundary.

"As such, there is no significant obstruction of the pavement. Consequently, we could not object to the mast on highway grounds.

"The county council would not give permission for a mast on a school ground."