RESIDENTS are stepping up a campaign to put the brakes on drivers who speed through their village.

Community leaders in Dilhorne have been calling for the speed limit to be dropped from 40mph to 30mph for more than a decade.

Eleven people have signed up for a community speedwatch scheme so far.

A Dilhorne Parish Council spokesman said: "Although the area around Dilhorne school is very important to us, it is the general opinion of the parish council, and indeed of many Dilhorne residents, that the speed limit must be reduced through the entire length of village, not just outside the school.

"Dilhorne has in recent years become a 'rat run' for many JCB workers and people going to Leek, with many Britannia Building Society workers using the village."

Villagers were promised action at a meeting with highways representatives last year.

Councillor Bill Day said: "It is a ridiculous situation having a 40mph speed limit in a small village, especially past a school. A spokesman for Staffordshire County Council said: "The issue of the speed limit at Dilhorne was one of many dealt with by a team member whose illness has meant the handover of his workload has been complex and difficult.

"The Dilhorne request for a 30mph speed limit is still under consideration."