VILLAGER Lizzie Hawnt has organised a public meeting in Ogbourne St George to gather support for measures to cut the speeds of motorists who use the village as a rat run.

Mrs Hawnt, who lives in the centre of the village, hopes as many people as possible will go to the meeting in the village hall on Thursday December 13 at 7.30pm.

She said: "I went to the parish council but they told me there was nothing they could do. I have spoken to a lot of people in the village and they are very concerned about the problem. I'm sure if we banded together we could get something done."

Mrs Hawnt, who is about to take up the job of personal assistant to the mayor of Marlborough, said drivers turn off the A346 and into the village with a mindset of speeding. "I ride a bike a lot and some of the cars that pass me must be doing at least 50mph," she said.

Tim Frost, chairman of Ogbourne St George parish council, said it too was concerned about the situation.

Coun Frost said: "We have spoken to the police and they have said that more funding has been made available for them to set up speed traps in the village.

"As far as traffic calming measures are concerned, our county councillor Chris Humphries has told us that county has no funds for road improvements in villages."

Coun Frost said he was sure parish councillors would attend the meeting. "If there is enough pressure at the meeting, the parish council will support it and try to do something, but highway matters are outside the parish council's control," he added.