POLICE who launched a pre-Christmas speeding offensive have been criticised for publicising their campaign.

In a letter to Ulverston Town Council, members of Pennington Parish Council claimed the effectiveness of speed traps had been diminished as motorists were forewarned through the local media.

The speed checks were carried out near Swarthmoor, on the A590, a notorious stretch of road which has been the site of numerous serious accidents.

Town councillor Phil Lister said: "I think police are entitled to deal with speeding as they see fit."

He added that a combination of well publicised campaigns and more "surreptitious" speed checks was probably the most effective policy.

Inspector Dave Spedding, also attending the meeting, said the campaign had been a success as it had sorted the "wheat from the chaff."

"I believe the strategy has worked.

Those that have been detected have been the hard core of drivers who speed," he said.