Study results suggest that five of the 400 cases of childhood leukemia in Britain each year could be linked to power cables. Dr. John Swanson said: 'We have strengthened the evidence that something is happening, but we haven't made any connection about why it is happening.'

Youngsters living within 200m of a power cable had an increased risk, it suggested. The researchers, from Oxford University, were unable to conclude whether the power cables caused the increased risk or if the findings are coincidence.

'Steady Stream of Evidence'

Eileen O'Connor, of national campaign group the Radiation Research Trust, today welcomed the study as further evidence that electro-magnetic fields and radiation are linked to cancers.

Eileen, of Sutton Coldfield, said: "There is now a steady stream of evidence that power cables are a risk to children. This study points the finger at the lines again so how long can the Government ignore this?

"The problem is worse in Britain where power levels are hundreds of times higher than many European countries."

She said that this highlighted the need for more funding for independent research into the issue.

'Something Is Happening'

Families in Druids Heath have long had concerns about the cables over their homes.

Mother-of-two Tammy Glover said: "Kids should be safe, but while they are here, they are not."

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, looked at 9,700 people who had developed leukemia as children and found that 64 lived within 200m of a power line at birth, and 258 lived between 200 and 600m.

It means that about five of the 400 cases of childhood leukemia in Britain each year could be linked to cables. Dr. John Swanson said: "We have strengthened the evidence that something is happening, but we haven't made any connection about why it is happening."

They also found that children from well-off backgrounds and those in less densely populated areas seemed to be at higher risk.

Only a small proportion of homes in Britain, less than one percent, are within 200m of a power line.

Eddie O'Gorman, chairman of the Children With Leukaemia charity, said: "Planning controls must be introduced to stop houses and schools being built close to high voltage overhead power lines."