THE number of speed cameras on Dorset's roads is to be more than doubled.

The move has been taken in an effort to try and slash the number of deaths and serious accidents on the county's roads.

Organisers of the Dorset Partnership scheme - which include Dorset Police and Dorset County Council - say the cost of the extra cameras will be paid for directly through money raised from fines.

But they are stressing that the extra cameras, which go into operation later this summer, will not be used to trap motorists unwittingly.

There are currently 51 speed camera sites in Dorset but the new scheme will see a total of 113 fixed camera sites across the county. Six mobile units will also be provided which will travel to various accident hot spots around Dorset.

Chief Supt Simon Merry, from the Dorset Partnership, said: "Research supports the fact that speeding is a common cause of death and serious injury on our roads, and by bringing down the speed of motorists in the county we will reduce the tragedies that occur every day."

Last year 39 people were killed and 375 were seriously injured in accidents in the county and organisers claim the added cameras will act as a deterrent.

"We are not in the business of persecuting drivers but we are determined to make Dorset a safer place. Camera use is designed to educate as well as detect motorists and enforcement will be concentrated where most collisions happen," he said.

Chief Supt Merry added that the cameras would be painted bright yellow and the public would be told where they are before they go into operation.

Leader of Dorset County Council, Tim Palmer, said: "We want to make Dorset safer for drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrians will be safer if drivers slow down. By making the cameras as obvious as possible and giving plenty of warning we are doing everything we can to persuade motorists to slow down."