Alderman David Hilditch told this week's meeting of the Borough Council that his office has received "quite vociferous" objections to proposals by Vodafone to site telecommunications equipment at the North Road service reservoir.

An application, which Planning Service says it is content to approve, envisages a 20 metre-high lattice tower housing three antennae and two dishes, with an adjacent equipment cabinet and surrounded by a 1.8m fence.

Alderman Hilditch told visiting planning officer Joy Hargie: "I would be delighted to have an office meeting to let you hear what (objectors) think."

At the same meeting, it was confirmed that three applications previously submitted by Vodafone but delayed after councillors demanded further consideration are to be given final approval.

Pole-style masts, 10 metres in height, will be built at Trooperslane Industrial Estate and Victoria Road, while a 15 metre triangular tower will be constructed close to the junction of Beltoy Road and Larne Road.

The company says its network needs to be upgraded to provide comprehensive 3G coverage in the Borough, including mobile internet at speeds comparable to a fixed-line broadband connection.