A BID to force a mobile phone company to remove a 15-metre mast near Redbourn has been defeated by a planning appeal.

Telecommunications company Hutchinson-3G has successfully appealed against the district council's refusal of permission for the mast at Lybury Farm, Lybury Lane.

The structure replaces another which has been removed in the M1 motorway widening project, and the inspector said it was no more of an eyesore.

The company is allowed to keep the mast for another year, after which it will be replaced by a larger one nearby which has already been approved.