Residents fear an "eyesore" 5G mast the height of four double-decker buses will "eat up" children's space if it is erected on a school field.

Mobile networks EE and Three want to build the 20-metre transmitter on the grounds of St Saviour's Primary in Elm Grove, Westgate-on-Sea.

The communications giants stress the structure will provide locals with "high-quality and reliable mobile connectivity", and that it will be "disguised as a cypress tree" in an attempt to make it less obtrusive.

But about 20 parents, grandparents and neighbours have launched a campaign urging the companies to rethink their plans.

One of the members of the group, Naomi Roberts, told KentOnline: "The community of Westgate cares about our primary school.

"Take it away and put it in a field somewhere else."

The 58-year-old believes the school field is the "worst" place to site the mast as it will "take away some of the children's space".

Another says the scheme is "abhorrent", while a person who live close to the site thinks it will bring the value of her house "crashing down".

Dad-of-three Nick Dabanovic, whose youngest son attends the St Saviour's, added: "It will eat up a lot of that field and reduce their playing area.

"It's going to be an obstruction."

St Saviour's head teacher Nick Bonnell insists the "school is opposed to the placement of a mast on our field" and that he has raised "several objections" against the project.

Thanet District Council gave the green light to proposals to build the tower on the plot - which is also used by Westgate-On-Sea Cricket Club - in March last year.

But because Kent County Council needs to lease the land to the operators of the structure for them to site it there, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has to sign off on the plans.

Responding to the concerns raised, a spokesman for EE and Three said: "It is a replacement for our previous site which was housed at St Saviour's Church.

"Unfortunately we were unable to remain in that location despite our best efforts to do so.

"When determining a new location, finding the right balance between delivering the network coverage and capacity customers want and expect, alongside planning regulations and aesthetic expectations is never easy.

"We will, as always, continue to work closely with the local authority and residents regarding this site. We will give all comments and feedback careful consideration.

"Our aim is for the local community to have access to high-quality and reliable mobile connectivity and the benefits that it brings."

Papers lodged with the district council by EE and Three last year note "the mast will be camouflaged as a cypress tree to ensure it blends well into the surrounding landscape".

The firms also revealed in the documents that the structure "will be 5G-ready and allow for the provision of new cutting-edge coverage for two major mobile networks".

KCC has launched a consultation on the plans ahead of Ms Keegan's decision.

The deadline for submitting a written representation is December 30.