WORDSLEY'S community Speed Watch scheme which aims to put the brakes on motorists who whizz past schools has been gathering pace.

Councillor Derrick Heminsgley has been teaming up with the police, fire service and members of the public once a month to zap speeding cars cruising too fast past schools in his ward.

The community-spirited councillor started the initiative after becoming increasingly concerned about the speed of traffic outside Belle Vue Primary, Ashwood Park Primary and Dingle Community Primary Schools.

He said: "We're trying to make drivers aware we're monitoring the speed outside the schools.

"If we can avoid a child being hit or killed outside these schools we've achieved our goal."

The latest Speed Watch meet, held near Belle Vue Primary during a two-hour lunchtime period on Friday October 24, clocked 46 motorists driving along Lawnswood Road at over 35mph; seven were doing over 40; and two were driving at more than 46mph.

All those zapped by the group's speed gun in the 30mph road can expect to receive warning letters from the police advising them to watch their speed in future.

Twelve motorists were also pulled over by the police for offences such as not wearing seatbelts or using their mobile phone while driving - and they were given the option of accepting an on the spot fine or or listening to a safety awareness talk by members of West Midlands Fire Service who were also in attendance.

PS Alex Sobolewski, from Brierley Hill and Wordsley neighbourhood police team, said: "The operation was to educate drivers and provide road safety advice."

Cllr Heminsgley added: "This was our fourth Speed Watch and it was very successful. It's not a big brother approach and about slapping fines on everybody; it's about trying to make people aware of what they're doing.

"The worrying thing is the speed these drivers have been doing outside Belle Vue Primary School. I'm a governor there and they're very concerned about the speed. Our next Speed Watch will be outside Ashwood Park Primary School and the headmaster is coming to join us.

"A lot of parents from the schools are concerned about the safety of their children and are supporting this."

Members of the public in Wordsley can can highlight which roads they feel should be targeted by Speed Watch by contacting cllr Hemingsley on 07771977746 or via website www.wordsleylabour.org.uk