Local opposition and the concerns of a conservation expert have failed to halt the installation of a telecommunications mast on the tower of the 15th century All Saints Church at Highweek, Newton Abbot.

Twelve households objected to the scheme put forward by Vodafone to improve delivery of its high tech 3G service which allows users to make video calls.

A previous bid to install a mast disguised as a mock telegraph pole close to the church was turned down on the grounds it would have a detrimental effect on the Grade I listed church and its Grade II listed lych gate.

But the latest scheme, a mast which doubles up as a replacement flagpole, has won approval.

The new mast will be more than twice as thick and one metre taller at 6.2 metres (20ft), something which troubled the district council conservation officer who was asked to comment on the application.

In their report they wrote: 'Replacing the present flagpole of 74mm diameter with one of 170mm and 1m higher will be a significant change.

'Given the prominence of the church as an elevated landmark the pole will appear much too robust to read as a flagpole.

'The height and overall scale of the new pole would form a prominent and visually conspicuous feature that would harm the character of the listed building.

'I am not prepared to support this proposal due to the harmful impact on the building.'

Residents' concerns included the visual impact of the new mast, the effect on property prices and health worries.

One couple who were married in All Saints, Mr and Mrs Tremlett of Highweek Village, said: 'The church is a place of god and worship, not a mobile phone statue'

But Carol Walter, the Teignbridge planning officer who dealt with the case, felt the application had merit.

In her report she wrote: 'I consider that the installation of a replacement flagpole incorporating the antennae is an acceptable way of dealing with the requirement to improve telecoms coverage in this area.

'Whilst the flagpole will be 1m higher and somewhat thicker than the existing when viewed from public view points, even close to the tower the difference will not be materially detrimental.

'It is noted from the information provided prior to the application being submitted that this approach has been successfully undertaken on other listed churches around the country.'

The Rev Adrian Wells, vicar of All Saints, was unavailable for comment.