Using a digital mobile phone in rural areas may pose a greater risk of developing brain tumours than it does in urban settings, a study suggests, reports the BBC.

Researchers found using a mobile in rural areas tripled the risk of malignant or benign tumours compared to urban users.

But the industry said the findings were not backed up by recent research.

The study by University Hospital in Orebro was published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal.

Several studies have looked into the safety of mobile phones in recent years with mixed results.
Experts in the UK have indicated there is no proven risk, but the Health Protection Agency has called for children to only use them when necessary.