ROAD safety experts are hoping a TV comedy star will succeed in getting the message through to drivers - after speed camera warning signs failed.

Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey has been recruited to urge motorists to behave - and slow down.

More than 30,000 fixed penalty tickets have been issued to drivers since a self-financing speed camera pilot scheme was introduced on Teesside, more than 12 months ago.

While the majority of drivers are slowing down, bringing down accident figures with their drop in speed, thousands of drivers are keeping their foot on the accelerator.

Safety advisors have splashed out £20,000 on hiring Morrissey to tell drivers up to 17 times a day on the radio that they are mugs to speed.

The drivers he is appealing to on Century Radio, TFM and Magic 1170 from this week, are ignoring roadside warnings of speed cameras, repeat speed restriction warning signs and an advertising campaign in the media.

Neil Ellison, team leader for road safety with Stockton Borough Council, said: "Loads of people hear the adverts and that is really good. The adverts are excellent. I am hoping having someone of the high calibre of Neil Morrissey puts a good pitch on it - and is going to be well accepted.''

It could be July before the experts are able to assess whether the actor's message to motorists in their cars, has paid dividends.

The cameras have been installed in 33 roads across Teesside, on routes which have an accident history.

Road casualty figures for the area fell by 25 per cent in the first nine months of the launch of the scheme as reported in The Northern Echo earlier this year.