Same wavelength

The Kendal enthusiast has seven aerials attached to the gable end of his semi-detached home in Dunmail Drive, enabling him to talk to fellow enthusiasts in many parts of the world.

But Mr Seddon's successful application to install the new, custom-built, telescopic mast, means all seven aerials can now be taken down.

The new mast, approved with conditions by South Lakeland District Council's development control sub committee, will do the work of all the present aerials and will telescope down when not in use, says Mr Seddon.

But some neighbours are still concerned the new mast will cause problems.

One, who did not want to be named, told The Westmorland Gazette she had heard Mr Seddon's voice coming out of her television set on two occasions now.

"The picture just goes and it is his voice speaking," she said.

Another local resident who contacted the Gazette queried that if it was possible to hear Mr Seddon's voice coming out of a television set, did this mean that he could hear conversations in local houses.

Other neighbours gave guarded approval to the new mast

Replying to the criticisms, Mr Seddon said that he had undergone two DTI inspections recently and been told that nothing he was doing could cause reception problems.

These often occurred when people fitted wide-band antenna and amplifiers to their equipment, he said.

In addition, there was an acknowledged problem locally with BBC 1 during warm weather.

"If you have got aerials up, you get the blame for everything," said Mr Seddon.

"If people have a problem, they should get it investigated properly.

I have done everything through official channels and I am not taking the blame any more."

In giving permission for the new mast, councillors stipulated it should be retracted when not in use.

They also agreed that local residents should receive information about official complaints procedure to follow, should they have problems with reception.