Residents will use the same speed guns used by police officers

Villagers in West Hoathly and Sharpthorne have been given training in how to use police speed guns and can start using them from Monday.

The 22 volunteers, who will patrol the C319, have also been given tuition in anger management and health and safety.

The Speedwatch scheme follows a survey of 3,000 Mid Sussex residents aimed at finding their policing priorities.

Dramatic increase

The survey last year found the needs for stronger measures to deal with speeding drivers was the residents' biggest concern - ranking higher than other crime.

The C319, which runs through both West Hoathly and Sharpthorne, has become an unofficial bypass for East Grinstead, by linking the A22 and A23.

Police said that even though not marked on maps, the road carries up to 8,000 cars a day and has seen a dramatic increase in road accidents in recent years.

Details of vehicles travelling at double the 30mph speed limit will be passed to police to deal with, with the possibility of fines and points on licences.

Councillor Adrian Lithgow, chairman of West Hoathly Parish Council's traffic committee, said: "Because of the demands on police resources, speed limits in country areas are often unenforced.

"This has given us the tools to fight back at inconsiderate drivers who abuse our community."

Sussex Police said it would not be the last scheme of its kind.