Popular mobile firms including Blackberry, EE, Nokia and Vodafone have warned shareholders about the potential cancer risks of phones - but haven't told customers.

They have told investors that if research finds links between their products and the disease that they could be sued by customers.

However they are yet to warn phone users of the potential risks through their adverts and packaging.

Owners of EE, British Telecom, released a statement in its annual report last year suggesting that they cannot provide assurance that people's health won't be affected in the future.

Popular mobile firms including Blackberry, EE, Nokia and Vodafone have warned shareholders about the potential cancer risks of phones - but haven't told customers

Nokia claimed that there had been some research that indicated that the risk of cancer could be increased by the electromagnetic waves emitted from phones.

Brain cancer patient Neil Whitfield, 60, was the first British man to sue a phone company as he believes his phone is the reason for his condition.

He could be awarded up to one million pounds from Nokia if he wins the case.

Mr Whitfield told the Mirror: 'If companies are warning investors there is a possible risk they should be warning people who use their phones and networks.

'They are being selective with the truth and have decided those with money are more important than the general public.'

They have told investors that if research finds links between their products and the disease that they could be sued by customers

Even if the risk is very small and unlikely the mobile films said that they still have an obligation to warn shareholders.

A man in Italy recently successful sued Telecom Italia after he developed a non-cancerous tumour and will receive 7,000 euro a year from them.

It was the first trial court verdict in the world 'to recognise a link between cellphone use and the development of brain tumour'.

Lawyers claim one of the driving factors was the court's refusal to accept studies that were funded by the telecom industry as evidence.

The Codacons consumer protection agency says it is considering a class-action based on the Romeo decision to have cellphones carry health warnings in Italy.

However they are yet to warn phone users of the potential risks through their adverts and packaging

Devra Davis, president of the Environmental Health Trust, said: 'Financial threats from litigation are growing in step with scientific evidence linking phones to health damages.

'Further still, the Italian court ­decision indicates any firm that requires mobile use as a ­condition of work faces major liability.'

Blackberry and Nokia warned shareholders of possible legal action in reports to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nokia said concerns over the adverse effects on health could make it difficult to keep customers, despite adhering to regulation.

However Vodafone argued that there is no evidence to support potential health risks but suggested that if this were to change it would impact them, while Blackberry agreed.

Conflicting studies have concluded that mobile phones both find links to brain cancer as well as finding no links at all.

A spokesperson for EE said: 'Research into the safety of radio signals has been conducted for more than 50 years.

'The strong consensus of the public health agencies around the world, such as the World Health Organisation, is that no health risks have been established from exposure to the low-level radio signals used for Wi-Fi and mobile communications.

'In line with advice from WHO, the UK Government has adopted the exposure limits developed by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) who monitor all new research.

'All UK mobile network providers build their networks within these guidelines.'