VILLAGERS have started a petition in a bid to persuade the police and Kent Highways to reduce the speed limit on the A258 between Deal and Sandwich.

Worth villagers and employees at Martha House nursing home in Hacklinge say they fear for their lives every time they have to pull out into the road.

During the last two years the road has seen several serious accidents, some of them fatal. Campaigners want the speed limit to be reduced to 40 or 50mph.

Jill Ransome, who has lived in Worth for 12 years, said she has seen the traffic on the A258 become more dangerous over the years.

"There are a lot of people who have been campaigning on this for years," she said. "We need the speed limit lowered so we can come out on the road without worrying about being hit or facing road rage from drivers who have to slow down."

Many people gathered at the roadside on Tuesday afternoon with placards marked with slogans such as Slow Down - It's Worth It.

The petition has been put in the pubs and the primary school, and volunteers have taken it door to door around the village."

"Everybody agrees with it and is signing it and putting their comments on it," said Mrs Ransome. "We just need to get out on the main road safely. It is a very well used road it just needs updating."

She said the road needed warning signs of speed cameras for drivers as they approach the village. "If they put speed cameras on this road they would make a fortune in fines," Mrs Ransome added.