SIX pupils have left motorists with a chilling reminder to curb their speed by asking: "What would you say to my parents if you killed me?"

The youngsters from Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe, teamed up with police for three hours yesterday to pull over motorists breaking the 30mph limit in Pendle Road.

Offenders caught in operation Safer School Streets could then opt for a £60 fixed penalty fine and three points on their licence, or an invitation to go into the school to face a grilling from the panel of students.

Drivers were also asked to look at pictures of crash scenes as well as reflect on what they would say to the pupils' parents if their speeding car had killed them.

And their excuses for speeding ranged from listening to music to running late.

The programme was the brainchild of Duke of Edinburgh assessor PC Andy Kent, based in Burnley, who is currently working towards his gold award.

Now the initiative could be launched across East Lancashire.

PC Kent said: "I can't believe how successful this has been.

"We wanted to take a different approach and are giving those who exceed the speed limit a choice - take a ticket or take stock of their actions. It is shock tactics, but hopefully this will result in making the roads around the school safer.

"As motorists came out of the question session they all said it was so much better than a ticket as they were horrified."

The Duke of Edinburgh bronze award students shared the tasks of stopping speeding drivers and asking the questions in the school's conference centre.

Kyle Bennett, 15, said the project had helped them all learn more about speeding at a time when they were coming up to learning to drive themselves.

He said: "We have increased our knowledge of the dangers of speeding and everyone we've seen was shocked."

Fellow student Emily Bateman added: "We're all surprised at the number of people we caught.

"With it being raining we thought people would have cut their speed."

The speed camera was manned by PC Mark Royle-Evatt of Accrington Road Policing Unit. More than 1,300 pupils use the area around Queens Road, Littlemoor Road and Turner Street.

He said: "People have got it into their heads that catching speeders is all about making more money for the local authority when it is principally about safety. The number of motorists caught does not reflect the true dangers of this road because of the number of people braking when they see us and other motorists will be flashing each other."

Pupil Clive Hutchinson, 14, added: "There is a 20mph zone in Peel Park Estate behind the school, but it ends where the children come out which is not very logical.

"Paying a fine does not really teach drivers anything. We wanted to make them listen."