Radiation emissions from mobile phone masts next to more than 100 schools and hospitals are well below recommended limits, according to a government study.

Readings of electromagnetic emissions from masts varied from hundreds to millions of times below international guidelines.

Aintree Hospital, in Liverpool, saw the highest reading but this was still more than 700 times below the limit, said the Department of Trade and Industry.

But campaigners argue the survey did not take into account the full health implications of siting masts near sensitive sites.

People's lives are being ruined on a regular basis Lisa Oldham Mast Sanity

These findings are the latest results to be published of a government study into mobile phone masts.

Last March it found emissions were well below international guidelines at another 100 schools.

The lowest reading was from a mast close to Enniskillen primary school in Northern Ireland, which was 19 million times below the guidelines.

Stephen Timms, Telecoms Minister, said: "We are aware of public concerns and it is important to give the public the information they need."

Modern phenomenon

He said mobile phones were part of everyday life with 45 million mobile users in the UK alone sending more than 45 million text messages a day.

"Mobile masts are the foundations on which this communications revolution is built," he said.

But the audit would continue to study levels at schools and hospitals, before extending the study to other potentially sensitive sites.

And he urged mobile phone companies to work closely with communities when siting masts and base stations.

The study examined masts close to 82 schools and 27 hospitals.

Guidelines 'wrong'

But Mast Sanity, which campaigns against mobile phone masts, said the findings were misleading.

Director Lisa Oldham said they were based on out-of-date guidelines.

"We don't believe anything the government tells us any more.

"People's lives are being ruined on a regular basis but this kind of study does not give a true picture."

The group believes health issues were not considered in the study.

Members are to demonstrate in London against putting such masts near sensitive sites.

The ongoing government audit follows a recommendation three years ago from an independent expert group on mobile phones chaired by Sir William Stewart.