A ‘FORGOTTEN’ 87 feet tall telecoms mast on Exmoor is being allowed to stay in place because of its importance to the emergency services network (ESN).

Exmoor National Park Authority planning officer Yvonne Dale said the Airwave Solutions Ltd mast at Warren Farm, Simonsbath, should have been removed in 2017.

A 114 feet high lattice tower mast for EE, which now had the ESN contract, was to have replaced it but that might not happen until 2029.

Ms Dale said ESN cover would need to continue being provided by the Airwave mast until the lattice tower was built.

She said the site was elevated and prominent in an open landscape but the mast was acceptable because it was largely screened by a tree plantation.