A proposal to build a 5G mast "right outside" a family home in one part of Wirral is being opposed by the local MP.

Margaret Greenwood, who represents Wirral West for Labour, joins 243 residents who have objected to a planned 18-metre tall 5G mast at the junction of Sandy Lane and Macdona Drive in West Kirby.

Commenting on the proposal, put forward by the company Three UK, Ms Greenwood said: "Residents are quite rightly concerned that the proposed 18-metre mast would be located in a residential area right outside a family home, just yards away from the owners’ front window.

"It was clear when I visited the site to hear people’s concerns that a mast of this size is not in keeping with the character of the area and would be unsightly and detrimental to people’s enjoyment of the local environment.

"There is also real concern among residents that an 18-metre mast and accompanying cabinet would be a further obstruction to sight lines and a distraction for motorists and pedestrians on what is already a busy junction."

The Labour MP wants local opposition to be taken into account when the proposal is considered by Wirral Council.

She added: "The planning application attracted 243 objections by the time it had closed for comments, highlighting the strength of feeling in the community in opposition to these plans.

"I share the concerns of local residents and fully support their campaign.

"It is really important that the views of local residents are taken into account when locations are being considered for these masts."

Cllr Simon Mountney, who represents West Kirby and Thurstaston for the Conservatives on Wirral Council, said: "The mast proposal is certainly inappropriate in the proposed location and would adversely affect both individuals and families living nearby and negatively change the streetscene being totally overbearing and impactful.

"There are locations where masts are acceptable, this isnt one of them and the company should think again."

Commenting on the proposal, a Three UK spokesperson said: "5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of West Kirby.

"We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and a new site will be critical to making that happen.

"While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, they do need to be situated where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage.

"The 5G rollout by all UK MNOs [mobile network operators] complies with all global standards on health and safety which have been developed since the early 1990s – you can see recent independent testing from Ofcom here https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/190005/emf-test-summary.pdf and find more information via #5gcheckthefacts on social media."