An appeal to the Government to launch an inquiry into the possible effects of telephone mast emissions was launched with a five-page spread in the Express and Echo.

The Exeter paper focused on the case of six-year-old Emma Cann, who is suffering from leukaemia.

A 15-metre high mobile phone mast stands outside her Crediton home and tests carried out for the Echo in Emma’s house show microwave emissions way above those allowed in many European countries.

There is no proof that microwaves from mobile phone masts are linked with leukaemia but a number of concerns are being expressed by scientists.

And now the paper is calling for an immediate Government investigation into microwave emissions.

The Government has already said it agrees with a “precautionary approach” on exposure to radiation, because of findings in official reports, but believes recommended guidelines do not need to be incorporated into statutes.

Express & Echo editor Steve Hall said: “This is a weak response. The reduced emission guidelines that are suggested in the Stewart Report should be accepted immediately and should be given full legal status.

“A further recommendation that phone companies be forced to operate at the lowest possible emission levels – even if they are already within the guidelines – should also be accepted.”

He also called for public access to a national database identifying mast sites with the outputs recorded.

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