WINCHESTER civic chiefs were today set to decide a divisive issue of a phone mast on top of a historic church.

Planners were meeting at the Hospital of St Cross, the oldest charity in the country, to make a decision on the proposal by O2.

The city council has received more than 100 objections and 18 in support.

Local city councillor Fiona Mather said: “In my seven years as councillor I have never known the community so bitterly divided over an issue.”