THE safety message that '20's plenty' on the streets of a Weymouth estate seems to be sinking in with drivers, say residents.

An initiative by the Westham Community Orientated Problem Solving (COPS) group has helped make sure drivers ease off the accelerator, claim members Norman Fry and Erica Patterson.

They say a simple poster campaign asking drivers to stick to 20mph in the area has been so successful they want to repeat it further afield.

Currently the speed limit around Westham is 30mph.

The safety posters are up in front gardens in Norfolk Road and Hereford Road, although the couple say they would now also like to see them go up in Corporation Road and Newstead Road.

Norfolk Road resident Erica Patterson, 61, said: "It's not everybody, but some people just speed up in Westham and drive down the roads far too fast.

"There have been a number of people who have come up to me since the signs went up saying that they've seen drivers slowing down."

Retired civil servant Mr Patterson, 60, said: "We asked people if they wouldn't mind putting up these signs in their front gardens and most people have agreed.

"The signs have definitely had an impact on driving speeds even though they're not legally enforceable."

Ward councillor and borough transport spokesman, Christine James, said: "I have to say that the scheme has been met really positively and there have only been one or two negative comments.

"I actually had a bus driver come up to me the other day in town saying he thought it was brilliant and that it has made him slow down. I've had other drivers coming up to me too saying that it's made them think about their speed."

Police Community Support Officer for Westham, Trevor Skinner, said: "I've had quite a few people in the area say that the signs have helped slow a lot of people down.

"According to residents there has been a problem in the area with people speeding down narrow roads.

"Even though these signs are not legally enforceable they do serve as a warning to drivers that they are being watched when they pass through Westham."