MOTORISTS caught speeding past a north Lancashire school had to face the wrath of children as part of an innovative road safety scheme.

The ‘Children Against Speed’ scheme, run by Lancashire police volunteer Will Hull and neighbourhood policing teams, aims to promote safer driving near schools.

Police measure the speed of drivers as they approach schools and those going over the limit are stopped and quizzed by school pupils about their driving behaviour.

They are also given the opportunity to attend a road safety lesson at the school.

A group of year six children from Nether Kellet Primary School put drivers on the spot near their school on Wednesday (March 4).

Emily Swainvank, 10, and Cheryl Hall, 10, questioned dad-of-two Michael Vangelderen, of Carnforth, who was caught going over the limit on his way to Morecambe.

They asked him whether he was aware that there was a school in the village, whether he often drove on that road, why he was speeding and whether he agreed that speeding was dangerous.

“I felt a bit naughty,” said Mr Vangelderen. “I was thinking about something else. It’s made me think twice about speeding.”

He also agreed to attend a road safety lesson at the school.

Lancashire police volunteer, Mr Hull, believed that the scheme would be a success: “I think it’s a more positive approach to addressing speeding problems in local communities. A lot of people think that the thought of facing the kids is worse than points or a fine.

“It’s a project run through Live and Learn workshops. The idea is to encourage children to take part in projects in their communities outside of the school environment, in particular addressing road and community safety issues, of which one is speeding.”

Jane Pearce, a teacher at the school, explained that the children would take what they had learnt back to the school to share with other children.

Arkholme Primary School, Thurnham Glasson Primary School and Cockerham Parochial Primary School are also taking part in the scheme.