residential area by a telephone company has thrown down a new challenge -- prove that the tower will not pose a health risk to neighbours.

The executive committee of CARE -- Community Against Radiation Emissions -- also claims that Bermuda Digital Communications used underhand methods to get the tower started.

This week a spokesman for the Warwick-based group, which represents about 300 residents it claims will be adversely affected if the tower near the Faraway Cottages site is built, said: "We demand that the BDC obtain written assurance from the US Environmental Protection Agency that living adjacent to a cellular tower emitting EMF poses no current or future health risks to ourselves or our families.

"CARE believes that the methods by which the tower has begun erection were underhand and misleading. Requests for trenching across neighbours land with required signatures were not fully explained that it was necessary to erect a cellular tower nearby.

"Objections by neighbours to the development on woodland reserve property went unanswered. Objections by neighbours citing potential health risks went unanswered and no correspondence with any of the neighbourhoods involved was received detailing a plan.'' The spokesman went on to say that recent research indicates that there is a strong link between exposure to EMF radiation and various cancers.

"Much of the information being received by CARE represents studies being mandated by Governments around the world in recent years.''