SIR - You mentioned in your (balanced) article of January 11 (Church Tower Could House Phone Antenna) that I was "unvailable for comment".

Just to say that I was on holiday, lest your readers think that I was unwilling to talk about the issue!

Can I please use your letters page to stress that the question of a phone mast on St Peter's Church is still an open one, and that nothing has been decided?

We intend to consult widely and listen carefully to all the members of our local community, and we are - of course - as concerned as anyone that any potential health issues should be investigated and addressed in a thorough and well-informed way.

As much as I would prefer not to have to disagree with a letter from a member of my own PCC (Pat Wilson, Chronicle, January 11) I am afraid that Pat is simply wrong.

Firstly, if (and to stress again it still is very much an open question) a mobile mast was to be installed, the tower would be just as accessible as it is now.

Secondly, "financial gain" is a loaded term. This is not about greed.

Our church pays £67,000 a year in Parish Share' to support the work of the wider church - and that is in addition to our own day-to-day running costs.

Despite being a well-attended church, to which people give very generously, our finances are still extremely tight, and therefore it would be irresponsible NOT to consider a potential source of income.

That said, the financial implications are - of course - a much lower priority for a Christian community than public health and good community relations.

We simply want an informed, open, courteous debate.

I am sure that the vast majority of Bishop's Waltham residents would agree with this.

The Rev Andrew Davis, Rector of Bishop's Waltham and Upham, The Rectory, Free Street, Bishop's Waltham.