SPEEDING motorists are putting children's lives at risk by driving past a Melksham school at speeds of up to 70mph.

Parents of children at Forest and Sandridge Primary School fear their children are in danger, as motorists regularly break the 50mph speed limit along Sandridge Road.

Parents and local councillors are now lobbying Wiltshire County Council Highways department to get the speed limit lowered to 30mph.

The road, a notorious blackspot, has already been the scene of fatal crashes and near misses.

In July, well-known local man David Sprules was killed on the road when a Volkswagen van ploughed into his bicycle.

In the past, cars have crashed through the school walls and into the back of parents' cars as they drop children off at the school gates.

Parent Monique Boddington said she was worried about the safety of children at the school.

She said: "In one incident I turned round in the lay-by and was indicating ready to park outside the school when a car ploughed into the back of mine, pushing us into the car in front which was also waiting to park.

"My son and I had to spend time in hospital. The police could not prosecute the driver because he was only doing 53mph."

Campaign leader Caroline Jackson said the bid to get the speed limit lowered was backedby nearly all the parents.

She said: "We have had an amazing response from parents. Virtually every family who have children at the school have written letters expressing extreme concern about the proven dangers of this stretch of road.

"They are concerned about the speed obviously, but also about the inadequate signposting."

Acting headteacher at Forest and Sandbridge, Cathy Drury, said action was needed before a child was killed.

She said: "We have got most of the parents and children to write letters to the highways department asking for the speed limit to be reduced.

"There was a fatality in July and could be one again unless motorists are forced to cut their speed.

"Cars have gone through the school walls in the past and we just feel so vulnerable."

Rumble strips and warning signs are already in place outside the school, but campaigners feel these measures are inadequate.