He just tells them to look out for the huge lamp post and big box that mysteriously appeared in front of his house just over a week ago.

"I suppose it's good for any visitors because it stands out," said Bill, 78.

"But it would have been nice if there had been some consultation before it was put up."

The post is similar to the one featured in last week's Knutsford Guardian.

A few calls revealed that that was a booster for Orange's mobile phone network.

This week a spokesman for the company said more than one booster was needed in a town to ensure a strong signal.

But Bill, of Shaw Heath View, said neither he nor his family used a mobile phone.

"I think my son-in-law has one, but he lives in Coventry so it doesn't help him," he said.

Other residents were just glad it wasn't on their doorstep.

"I didn't know what it was or why it was there, but it looks like something from the space age," said Gaynor Houghton.

Another Roy Winters said the pole had been the talk of the neighbourhood since it first appeared.

"We were talking about it in the social club because it is an eyesore and everyone driving past is having a look at it," he said.

This week an Orange spokesman said great care had been taken in selecting an appropriate design for the area.

"We do work closely with the local planning authorities and take our responsibilities very seriously," she said.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.