Villagers to catch speeding drivers

It is hoped the signs will make motorists drive more carefully

Road safety bosses have begun training villagers to become roadside speed monitors.

Parish councillors and residents across west Berkshire are being trained to use the roadside Speed Indicator Device (Sid), which displays a sad face to motorists going too fast.

So far, training has been given in five parishes and villagers will be invited to take the device onto the roads in the coming weeks.

Richard Brown, of Burghfield Parish Council, was the first councillor to learn how to operate the portable device.

Mr Brown said: "We have been looking forward to Sid coming to Burghfield.

"The device is a simple concept but extremely effective."

The portable device can be taken to a number of locations during the course of a day.

The scheme has been funded by speeding fines paid to the courts and then freed up by the government.

The training is being carried out by members of West Berkshire Council's road safety team.