VILLAGERS in Stockton Heath could soon be personally clamping down on drivers who break the law by helping an innovative borough council campaign to stop speeding motorists.

Traffic and safety manager, Howard Claxton, is encouraging councillors to endorse a scheme that would bring civilians out onto the streets armed with state-of-the-art speed cameras.

Borough council officials are visiting surrounding parish councils and Stockton Heath officials have spoken about liasing with its neighbouring body, in Appleton.

The cost of the community speed campaign is £4,000 but council officials say the first parishes to apply will not have to pay for the equipment.

Mr Claxton said: "We are looking to introduce this into an urban/semi-rural setting. We want to see if this is practical and possible to be taken forward. We would leave the choice of roads down to the local communities.

"We're trying to see if the idea would work in Warrington. It may not, but we feel that we must try it out. Initially, we would not be looking towards groups to fund the scheme."

Graeme Roughsedge, parish councillor, will coordinate any future scheme and suggested Fairfield Road, Ellesmere Road, London Road, Sandy Lane, Grappenhall Road, Walton Road and West Avenue as possible locations for the clampdown.

The idea comes from a successful pilot scheme, run by Avon and Somerset Police, who learnt that speeding motorists cost the health service a staggering £19 million in 2001.

Parish council chairman Alf Pester welcomed the project, saying: "I think we have enough like-minded citizens in Stockton Heath to get behind the scheme. Let's face it - speed causes accidents."