MOTORISTS in East Lancashire will have to drive 38 miles an hour in 30mph zones before being given a fixed penalty fine under new rules taking effect from today.

Following a three-month review, Lancashire Constabulary has announced its new speed enforcement policy which raises the previous limit for penalties.

But police have stressed this is not a green light to drive more quickly in Lancashire. It is, they say, about dealing with people "in a flexible and proportionate manner."

The review was commissioned by Chief Constable Paul Stephenson after he was inundated with complaints about the previous policy, which had seen 320 fixed and numerous mobile sites set up across the county.

The new system will see more people cautioned or sent on speed awareness courses designed to increase safety -- not revenue.

From today drivers caught speeding in a 30mph area will be cautioned at 35mph, offered a speed awareness course at 36 and 37, and given a fixed penalty at 38mph.

Similarly in a 40mph area drivers will be cautioned at 46 and 47 and offered speed awareness at 48 and 49mph. Above that will result in a fixed penalty.

In a 50mph area drivers will be cautioned at 57 and 58, offered speed awareness at 59 and 60 and a fixed penalty at 61mph.