A record number of speeding motorists have been caught in one day on the M11 in Essex.

In a 24-hour period, 2,000 vehicles were caught on just one camera on the southbound carriageway of the motorway near Woodford.

Police figures reveal the daily average number of motorists ignoring the 50mph speed limit is regularly reaching 600, peaking at 1,000 during rush-hour periods.

The camera was installed to reduce injuries on a stretch of road where accident figures have reached six times the national average.

Ignoring signs

The Casualty Reduction Manager for Essex, Brian Ladd, said he wanted motorists to understand the seriousness of speeding.

"We are becoming increasingly concerned at the number of motorists who appear to be ignoring the clearly visible signs that indicate the safety camera is in operation.

"It's not in the driver's interests to continue handing over �60 each time; eventually leading to a period where they will be banned from driving which may have consequences on their professional lives," he added.

Essex is one of eight forces taking part in a pilot scheme which allocates the drivers' fines to maintain and buy the cameras instead of passing the revenue on to the Treasury.

Cameras criticised

The camera on the M11 is one of 100 funded by the scheme.

It is calculated it will save 78 injury accidents at a cost of �61,000 each.

Speed cameras have come in for criticism recently from the Automobile Association (AA).

The motoring organisation says that both computer and human error in processing data from speed cameras has prompted an increase in the number of drivers wrongfully accused of speeding.

Among the cases it says it has uncovered is that of a vicar who was "caught speeding" in London while delivering a sermon in Wales.

The AA is now demanding an investigation into the speed camera system.