CHILDREN have sent letters to the Queen and the Prime Minister as they step up their campaign to reduce the speed limit outside their school.

Pupils at Dilhorne Endowed Primary School want the limit cut from 40mph to 30mph.

The school thought it had won its battle after being told action would be taken by highways officers at Staffordshire County Council last year.

Their call received the backing of MP Charlotte Atkins.

But 12 months on, the speed limit outside the school remains at 40mph.

Headteacher Jean Scrivens said the pupils are now so fed up with speeding motorists they have written to Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.

She said: "I joined the school in September and staff raised concerns about the speed limit when I first came here.

"So many motorists use it as a rat run and after being told by the county council that something would be done, the speed limit remains at 40mph."

In her letter to the Queen, Holly Carnall, aged eight, said: "We are asking you to help us to drop the speed limit outside the school. They drive really fast and we don't want to get run over and be hurt. We would appreciate if you could help us get it changed."

Pupil Jamie Trigg, aged eight, sent his letter to Gordon Brown. He said: "I think it would be better if there could be speed cameras outside our school. At the moment, cars and lorries are going too fast and I think somebody might get killed because they go too fast. Can you try and help us, Mr Brown?"

County councillor Bill Day has campaigned for a cut in speed. He said: "This is something we have fought for in the past, yet nothing has been done. It is ridiculous.

"The school must be the only one in Staffordshire with a 40mph speed limit outside."

PTA chairman Mandy Davis said: "After attending a presentation at the school on January 18 last year, children, teachers and local representatives of the community spoke of their concerns about the speed limit outside the school, when adhered to, being 40mph and the need to reduce this.

"A year after this meeting and nothing has been done. It is a real concern.

"Promises were made that 30mph signs would be put up outside the school.

"Our children are at risk. It is well-known that for changes to improve safety on British highways, there has to be at least three fatalities.

"Does this mean three of our children have to lose their lives before something is done?

"I believe that prevention is better than cure. Let us make a change now before something happens."

Local MP Charlotte Atkins has urged the county council to reduce the speed limit outside the school.

She said: "I attended the meeting last year and promises were made by the county council to reduce the speed limit.

"It's outrageous that over a year on we're still in the same situation. It is an insult to the residents of Dilhorne.

"This is an issue of child safety – something that is so important – yet the county council seem to be completely overlooking that. I can't think of any other school in the county which has such a high speed limit. It is disgraceful."

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 prolonged 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."