Residents staged such a powerful protest builders were forced to abandon the building site (Picture: Daily Echo/Solent News)

Campaigners are celebrating a ‘victory for people power’ after they halted the construction of a 5G mast.

Residents in Hythe, Southampton, staged a protest that was so fierce, contractors were forced to stop work and clear the site.

One local blocked a crane for more than two hours in an attempt to stop a ‘giant monstrosity’ being erected over their homes.

Emily Kemish said: ‘Just before 10.30am we were told Vodafone were abandoning the site. We refused to move until we had this in writing, which came through at 10.36am.

‘One of the workers said it was the first time he’d seen a site be abandoned. We’re really pleased we managed to make a difference.’

Although the group find the idea of faster broadband in their area appealing, having a mast put up near their homes proved to be one stop too far.

Protestor John Lawless said: ‘We are not against faster broadband but if it hadn’t been for our protest we would have a giant monstrosity on our doorstep.’

In a battle cry on community social media pages, residents said ‘the correct channels need to be gone through’, despite admitting the masts would be useful for ‘economic and connection purposes’.

Residents said they did not want a ‘giant monstrosity’ erected over their homes (file image) (Picture: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

Councillor Malcolm Wade said: ‘People were upset because they didn’t know it was being installed opposite their homes and felt it would be an eyesore.

‘The person in charge of the site told me it was to be temporary until a more permanent site was found, but because of the reaction they were taking the mast away.’

Vodafone said most of its masts were deployed and managed by its partner, Cornerstone.

A Cornerstone spokesperson said: ‘Following a redevelopment notice on one of our existing sites, the temporary base station in Southampton Road would have continued to provide existing mobile coverage and connectivity to the local community.

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‘Unfortunately we have had to stop the proposed build due to members of the public entering our site and making the area unsafe.

A New Forest District Council spokesperson said: ‘We are in contact with the telecommunications company and will provide an update for interested parties as soon as possible.’

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‘We are not against faster broadband but if it hadn’t been for our protest we would have a giant monstrosity on our doorstep.’