RESIDENTS' patience is being tested after being told they must send in their objections for a new phone mast again because their previous letters do not count.

Objections were sent to Gravesham Council after residents in Riverview Park heard mobile phone company 02 wanted to put a 15m phone mast in Thong Lane, next to the one erected three months ago.

They say the mast is inappropriate because three schools are nearby, it is on a housing estate where 2,500 people live and a stone's throw from both the green belt and a children's playground.

But the council says the letters, which flooded in before the application was submitted, cannot be included in the consultation process and second letters, with the reference number, must be sent.

Doreen Hartung, 68, of Bonaventure Court says it's "absolute madness".

"I asked why they couldn't put the reference number on the letters they've received but they won't."

A Gravesham Council spokesman said: "Comments are only valid once an application has been formerly submitted to the council and must refer to a specific application."

Comments should be written to the planning department, Gravesham Council, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1AU, reference GR/2004-0939.