Villagers may resort to a hard-hitting campaign to secure a bypass for their community after suffering another major setback yesterday.

North Yorkshire county councillors ruled out making a bid for £2m of Government cash for a scheme to divert the A19 from Thormanby, near Thirsk.

The decision has angered residents, who say they may return to controversial measures used in the past to raise awareness of the area's accident rate.

Last year, they were threatened with legal action by Hambleton District Council for erecting a large roadside sign showing a black coffin and branding the road Death Hill.

But campaigner Stephen Suart said yesterday that similar signs could be created as a last resort to keep the problem in the public eye. "We may have to go for the signs or something like them again," he said.

The county council approved applications for Government cash to finance several highways schemes, including a bypass for Shipton-by-Beningbrough, on the A19 near York.

Mr Suart said: "I think politically there has been no will to do it for us. We are pleased for Shipton, but it doesn't make sense because there is a far greater need in Thormanby.

"Every time we pull out of our homes and on to the road, we are risking our lives because the lorries come over the hill at 60 or 70mph."

There have been four deaths and numerous accidents on the road since 1997.

However, the county council said it did not believe Government funds would be forthcoming and it was putting forward schemes that were more likely to be looked upon favourably.

But the council's decision was well received in Shipton, which first applied for a bypass 30 years ago.

Resident Bill Hiles, who started a petition for a bypass after a lorry crashed into his garden, said: "That was a big motivation in carrying on the fight. It was a rude awakening."

He added: "The bypass is estimated to cost £9m, which is not a lot in Government terms."