MORE than four out of five cars are hurtling past a Barrowford primary school at more than 10mph over the speed limit.

Today motorists were accused of putting children's lives at risk and the situation branded "an accident waiting to happen".

A traffic survey found 85 per cent of motorists were driving between 40 and 44 mph. Wheatley Lane Road has a 30 mph limit.

Pendle borough councillors have become increasingly concerned about the number of cars speeding down the street, especially since the opening of the new St Thomas' School building.

Barrowford councillor Allan Vickerman said: "There is certainly a lot of danger along there - it's an accident waiting to happen.

"We've just got a new development there and the new school opened last year."

His fears for the safety of school children were echoed by Councillor Linda Crossley.

She said: "It's a fairly bendy road, there are quite a lot of twists. We will look at every means to make sure we can make the road as safe as possible."

Councillors asked the highways, engineering and design services manager to carry out a speed survey on Wheatley Lane Road in January.

Members of the Barrowford and Western Parishes Committee will discuss what action to take when they meet on Thursday - but Coun Vickerman is hoping the survey will not give the green light to speed bumps.

He said: "It needs some kind of traffic calming but I don't want to see speed bumps in Barrowford."

Meanwhile Coun Crossley hopes recent police speed traps will serve as a deterrent to drivers tempted to hit the speed limit as they enter the town.

St Thomas' School headteacher Alison Lloyd said: "The governors and staff are concerned and we're really pleased something is happening to make it safe outside our school.

"We have so many children crossing the road and this is long overdue."