resident who owns a home close to the site.

Mike Bearden's house is 25 metres from the planned Bermuda Digital Communications aerial site, but he has rejected concerns over any possible health risks from the radiation emitted as "mass hysteria''.

He says he has no qualms about living close to the antennae and says there is no foundation for the fears of some Warwick residents who back the CARE protest group.

"I was very surprised that some of the people involved with CARE did not go out and do some basic research,'' he said. "There seem to be a lot of people with time on their hands.'' He believes there may be other reasons why some of the residents close to the Dunscombe Road site are against the plans.

"The seemingly well meaning people involved in CARE really should not use scaremongering to promote their personal and not quite so hidden agenda.

"If you do not want an antenna spoiling your view, reducing your property value, say so.

"Do not hide behind speculation and hyperbole that is not supported by either the scientific community or bodies such as the Federal Communications Commission.'' CARE fears radiation from the cellular tower could cause health problems such as cancer. They want BDC to find another site or provide a guarantee that there won't be any hazards.

Mr. Bearden, who is customer service manager for internet provider Logic Communications, believes CARE may have confused concerns over emissions from mobile phones with the base antennas.

And he cast doubts over much of their data, which has come from the Internet.

He said he doubted whether CARE could back up any of their claims with actual evidence from a legitimate source.

At present construction on the site has ceased and owners of the land, Southampton Princess, are currently looking at the lease agreement with BDC.

Last night general manager Norman Mastalir said Canadian Pacific legal advisors in Toronto were examining the deal and the company's environmental affairs department was looking into the issues surrounding the tower.

He said it would be at least a week before there was a decision.

BDC chief operating officer Michael Leverock was unavailable for comment last night.

Steve Thomson of CARE said: "Anybody can have an opinion on anything. We have a virtual consensus in the neigbourhood. Everybody we approached happily joined the cause.

"But you will never get a complete consensus on anything.'' In addition Mr. Thomson claimed that many other countries were erring on the side of caution with regard to cellular towers whilst Bermuda was not.

And he cited claims made by Dr. David Carpenter, professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Toxicology at the State University of New York, who claimed there was a suggestion of a link between radiation from towers and cancer.

He said it would be totally irresponsible to site an antenna near land where young children spend much time.