Sunderland City Council has found itself embroiled in a battle with phone giant O2 to see the mast pulled down.

But the company is sticking to its guns and has vowed it is there to stay.

O2 lodged plans with the council to erect the 15-metre mast opposite the Dolphin Pub at Ashdown Road, Farringdon, in February last year.

The council opposed the bid over the design and siting of the mast, and nearby residents launched a petition on the grounds that it would affect property values and their health.

But planning chiefs accidentally gave the proposal the thumbs up in writing and, despite them realising within an hour, O2 put up the mast anyway.

Coun Michael Dixon, Conservative ward councillor for St Chad's, said: "The conclusion seems to be that the council made a mistake but realised it very quickly and tried to rectify it.

"O2 has not accepted that it was a genuine error and taken the council at its word."

The council has written to residents explaining the situation.

But O2 is standing firm. Tom Powell, an O2 spokesman, said: "We have no intention of removing the mast from its current location. The installation is there to stay."

Phil Barrett, council director of development and regeneration, said: "In February last year, the city council received notification from the company O2 seeking prior approval to install a mobile phone mast at Ashdown Road.

"The decision on whether to refuse or approve the application was finely balanced but after consideration a decision was made to refuse it.

"An administrative error, however, meant O2 received an approval letter and, despite this being rectified almost immediately by the council, the mast has been erected.

"The council is in the process of obtaining legal advice in relation to the status of the approval issued in error."