More than 1,000 motorists could have their speeding fines overturned after they were stopped in Worcestershire while driving within the legal limit.

Four temporary speed limits introduced on the A38 were allowed to lapse because of an administrative error.

Police say they were unaware the revised limits were no longer enforcable, and continued to stop drivers they believed to be speeding at Earls Croome, Ryall, Kempsey and Clifton.

The force is now writing to more than 1,000 people who received fixed penalties for alleged speeding offences which were given after the temporary orders lapsed.

We have seen a tremendous drop in the accident rate on that road, and that is the most important feature of all

Paul Jameson

Police are taking specialist legal advice over what action should be taken next over the alleged speeding offences.

Paul Jameson, the head of highways management for Worcestershire County Council, believes the mistake is a blessing in disguise.

"This one is, in my view, something of a win-win situtation", he said.

"And the reason for that is that police have been enforcing these speed limits in their innocence, not realising that the limits weren't in fact there.

"As a result, we have seen a tremendous drop in the accident rate on that road, and that is the most important feature of all."

The County Council, which is now responsible for the road, has temporarily re-instated the speed limits with a view to imposing them permanently.

The following speed limits were allowed to lapse:

At Kempsey, the order reducing the limit from 40mph to 30 expired in August, 2001

At Clifton, the order reducing the limit from 60mph to 40 expired in January, 2002

At Earls Croome, the order reducing the limit from 60mph to 50 expired in February, 2002

At Ryall, the order reducing the limit from 60mph to 50 expired in June, 2002