A councillor is calling for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced on a Whitehaven housing estate.

Carl 'Wammo' Walmsley, who represents Mirehouse on Whitehaven Town Council, is pushing for a speed limit reduction throughout the estate.

He has teamed up with Councillor Mark Holliday and PC David Slattery to launch a 20's Plenty campaign.

Mr Walmsley said: "Due to so many parked cars in our built up areas and cars being forced to park on bends and junctions we feel there is going to be somebody seriously hurt if not worse soon.

"The police have been fantastic in working alongside us especially Sargent Slattery who had recommended some volunteers of the estate could be trained up to use speed watch guns."

Mirehouse residents Julie Jarrett, Michelle Thompson, Bob Atkins and Ian Keightley will use the speed watch guns to target problem areas.

While speeding motorists will not be prosecuted, the data collected will raise awareness of some of the dangerous speeds on the roads.

Mr Walmsley said: "We have four very generous volunteers receiving training soon to use at set times and I can't thank them enough as without them this couldn't happen.

"In my view 20mph limits are not simply for the benefit of car users or for improving road safety but about developing and creating liveable environments near roads where people can safely walk, cycle and enjoy community life.

"Keep 30mph where there are no houses, no cyclists, no pedestrians, no pavements, no parks, schools, or shops, but motorists need to realise the beneficial effect of a 10mph speed reduction in the communities they travel through and that's why I fully support 20mph speed limits."

Mr Walmsley said the proposed change would not apply to Meadow Road and Whinlatter Road because they are on bus routes.