The UK government, the mobile phone industry and academia are working together on a £250,000 study into the effects of mobile phone masts on health.

The Department of Health Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme is being held in two stages, firstly to identify which people are most susceptible to mobile phone masts, and secondly to measure the exact effects.

The first stage began in January, and the second is being started this month and will finish in July 2006.

The University of Essex is currently looking for volunteers to take part in the tests, especially those who believe they are sensitive to mobile radiation.

"More than 3,000 responses have already been received, but the research team in the Department of Psychology urgently needs more," project leader Professor Elaine Fox explained in a statement.

"This is an important study into an issue of public concern, and we need a response rate of at least 30 per cent for us to draw any significant conclusions. That means we need another 3,000 responses."

Official advice on the safety of mobile phone emissions has caused some confusion. The Department of Health had said that mobile phones should be used with hands-free kits to minimise effects on the user, but further research has suggested that such use may actually increase potential harm.