A SPEED check camera in high demand around Dorset has gone on trial in Swanage - and residents have been reassured that "boy-racers" will not be able to flash up show-off speeds.

The mobile sign warns motorists if they are break-ing the speed limit, without the driver incurring a fine.

It will flash up the speed of a vehicle as it approaches the sign, but the digital read-out has been calibrated so that it will only show speeds up to a certain level above the speed limit.

Drivers who deliberately speed up hoping to register a high speed will see only a blank screen.

The camera has been given a display cut-off point about 10 or 15mph above the road speed limit to prevent the machine being misused by "boy racers".

Dorset County Council road safety officer Neil Fitch said the information gathered will be analysed and if it shows there is a speeding problem it will be passed to Dorset Police to take action.

If there is less of a problem the council may introduce traffic calming measures or clearer speed limit signage.

Mr Fitch's county hall colleague Rob Camp said: "There are only three of these cameras for the whole of the county and there is a long waiting list.

"Everywhere we've put them there has been a favourable response and people say it drastically reduces speed."

The sign will be in Court Hill Road for a week then moved to Ulwell Road. Both roads are problem spots for speeding.

County Cllr Don Hiett said: "I've campaigned for a month to have this in Swanage. They are in high demand.

"We will see how effective this is."

Conservative spokesman for South Dorset Ed Matts, who lobbied Dorset Police to bring the sign to Purbeck, said he was delighted it had now arrived.

First published: September 2