PARISH councillors in Tarporley are volunteering to become one of the first groups in Cheshire to act as traffic cops to catch speeding motorists.

Tarporley Parish Council is to take part in a Cheshire Constabulary scheme which encourages communities to use hand-held radar speed guns to catch speeding commuters.

The force's Community Speed Watch scheme enables people to get involved in road safety and helps to encourage drivers and motorcyclists to watch their speed and keep to the limit.

By working with the police and local authorities, residents near to some of Cheshire's speed hotspots are given support in setting up a speed watch scheme in their neighbourhood.

After being fully trained, residents wear fluorescent jackets and patrol busy streets to form a speed trap.

They aim to catch speeding motorists by pointing hand-held radar guns at cars which they think are going too fast and by taking their registration details.

The logs are then sent to the police who send out warning letters. Persistent offenders who disregard warnings will be identified by the police who will then patrol the areas themselves in a bid to gain a successful prosecution.

Information collected by locals will be used as background evidence for police if they take a driver to court.

Parish councillors embraced the scheme on Monday and brushed away fears they could be challenged by angry motorists once caught.

Cllr Roy Craven said he was willing to take part in such an initiative in Frod-sham where no-one would recognise him.

But parish council chairman Helen Watson quickly rounded on that suggestion, saying, 'Speeding is speeding'.

She added: 'We have been asked if we want to do some speed camera training as part of a community speed watch scheme. We would have to form a community speed watch group and we would be trained to use speed guns in the village.'

Cllr Watson said six people would have to register an interest, whether they are councillors or members of the public.

Volunteers must be over 18 and able to contribute one hour per week; training will be provided by the police in how to use the speed gun and in safety issues.

Councillors say speed traps could be placed in Forest Road, Eaton Road, Utkinton Road, Nantwich Road and the village High Street.

Cllr Tim Hill, a Vale Royal Borough councillor, said he was willing to take part in the project but told councillors that participants would be doing the work of the police.

Tarporley has already been appointed a Cheshire Constabulary community support officer (Claire Hulse) on a six-month trial basis to deal with minor crime and nuisance youths.

Once the trial period is up, parish leaders will have to ask themselves whether they are willing to charge villagers an extra £18 a year in order to pay Miss Hulse's £20,000 wages.

'I just have an uncomfortable feeling that organisations look to us to do their business,' said Cllr Hill.

'Speeding vehicles in a community is a police issue, but if it has to be done by local people then so be it.'

As well as Cllr Hill, fellow parish councillor Richard Brierley said he was willing to take part in the project along with parish council clerk John Macdonald.

Cllr Ernest Boynes warned councillors that the project could lead to trouble, adding: 'We need to get some strapping six-footers. There might be trouble.'

Cllr Hill said if there was a persistent speeding problem in the village the police may take it on themselves.

For information on the speed watch scheme, call your local police sergeant on 01244 350000.