Planners at Harrogate Council rejected Vodafone's proposal for a mast 60 metres from Greystone Primary School on aesthetic grounds.

In a statement, the council said the proposed 47ft mast would "unreasonably detract" from the residential amenity of nearby houses due to its design, height and location.

Local facilities and the "visual amenity" of the southern approach to the city would also be affected, conflicting with three Harrogate District Local Plan policies, the council said.

Audrey Blackburn is chairman of governors at Greystone School and has helped lead the opposition to the proposal.

She said: "I'm delighted the application has been turned down.

"I'm curious as to how final this will prove to be, but I'm absolutely thrilled at the council's decision."

Ripon MP David Curry said: "This proposal was an extremely bad idea.

"I hope parents at the school feel reassured that we've seen off this particular application. This was a daft site, quite frankly."