BECKENHAM residents fear a proposed phone transmitter concealed in a church cross could be used to transmit pornography to new generation mobile phones.

Hutchinson 3G wants to put an antenna inside a replica fibreglass cross on top of St Barnabas' Church, Perth Road, just yards from Clare House Primary School.

Concerned residents have started a petition to stop the transmitter being placed there, claiming concerns about health risks and that the church is an inappropriate site.

The cross would transmit data to third-generation phones, capable of displaying high-quality images such as football highlights, which are likely to be available later this year.

Another package which the company calls "age-related services", designed specifically for the over-18s, will also be available via the phones.

Perth Road resident Helen de Peyrecave, 40, says she is worried about radiation and concerned the mast could be used to transmit adult material. She said: "We cannot believe a church would seriously consider allowing their cross to be used for the dissemination of pornography.

"To me, age-related services is just another word for adult content.

Gambling and sex are how people make money on the internet and I would expect the church to have a view on that.

"And they cannot give us categorical assurances these transmitters are safe. My children live three doors from the church and go to school in its shadow."

Mother-of-two Julie Smeulders, whose children also attend Clare House school, said: "I don't think a church should do this for money.

"They could be risking children's health just for cash and I wouldn't have thought a church could do that."

Hutchison 3G community affairs manager Mike Davies said: "The exact content of age-related services has not yet been announced but access to them will be strictly controlled, unlike accessing the internet at home. They will be services designed for adults and only accessible to adults, such as gambling."

The Vicar at St Barnabas' church, the Reverend Peter Marr, said the church believed the project would be safe. He refused to comment on the possible content.

If the church and Diocesean Advisory Committee agree to the plans, the company will have to apply for planning permission from Bromley Council.