The presence of reflective jackets holding speed guns by the side of the road does act as a deterrent to speeding motorists

Avon and Somerset Police

The scheme is being run by the police with the Safer South Somerset Partnership.

The vehicle monitoring is carried out by volunteers, who are mainly from the local Neighbourhood Watch group.

The scheme started after police received several complaints from villagers about drivers travelling at high speed through Ash.

A police spokesman said: "It's very, very practical. The residents are very, very keen because it's helping themselves."

"One of our key philosophies is to get local communities to take ownership of local problems in partnership with us."

Reflective jackets

The police spokesman said: "The presence of people standing in reflective jackets holding speed guns by the side of the road does act as a deterrent to speeding motorists."

Road policing unit officers are providing regular assistance and take part in some of the speed checks.

Registered owners of the vehicles caught speeding are contacted by post to advise them that they have been checked.

They will also receive speed reduction literature which aims to change their attitude to speeding.