NEW posters have been designed by an eight-year-old calling on drivers to curb their speed outside schools in Tendring.

Youngsters were asked to design posters to be displayed outside schools with the 20s plenty safety message.

St George’s Primary School pupil Hope Singleton’s winning design was chosen by a panel of judges as the winner, and has now been turned into a sign and banner.

Hope won a £500 prize for her school, to be spent on equipment, as well as a family wristband for Clacton Pier for herself.

The competition was run by Tendring Council, which backed a motion in January pledging to campaign for 30mph limits in all its villages and 20mph past schools.

It called on the Essex County Council cabinet member for highways to introduce the move.

Last week, a similar motion presented at a full county council meeting was agreed and sent to a scrutiny committee for further work.

Fred Nicholls, Tendring’s cabinet member for corporate enforcement, said Tendring was ahead of the curve in Essex on the issue.

He said: “We have long been campaigning for a reduced speed limit outside schools in Tendring, and this is moving forward apace.

“We have agreement in principle from the Tendring Local Highways Panel for signs to be installed outside schools when – and I firmly believe it is when, not if – the decision to reduce the speed limit is agreed.

“This poster by Hope, which is a cracking design, will really help to get the message to drivers that they should slow down near schools.”

“Lowering the speed limit is proven to reduce the number of accidents, and should a collision occur your chances of surviving are vastly increased at 20mph as compared to 30mph. To me this is a no-brainer.”