THE top 10 worst motorists in every area of East Lancashire will be watched by police and warned about their driving standards.

Police are stepping up enforcement of new 20mph restrictions, which will be rolled out in every residential area by 2014.

The lists will be compiled from police intelligence, information from residents, details given at PACT meetings, Crimestoppers anonymous tip-offs and the Community Speedwatch Scheme.

This is where volunteers are trained up to use speed guns alongside a PCSO or police officer.

The people on the blacklist will not be named, but will be monitored by police, paid a visit and spoken to about their future driving.

Council bosses say that most people who speed in residential neighbourhoods live in the area and they say if someone drops off the list they will be replaced by another bad driver.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Rhodes said: “We hope that through the Community Road Watch scheme and the targeting of the top offenders, we can help to make the county’s roads even safer.”

The 20mph zones follow successful trials of the initiative in south-west Burnley last year.

Highway bosses will introduce the first wave of traffic orders in Knuzden, between the M65 and Blackburn boundary, as well as a triangle in Helmshore.

And by the end of 2011, the programme will have been extended to incorporate the Waterside and Vivary Bridge areas of Colne.

County Councillor Tim Ashton, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "People are much more likely to survive and have fewer injuries if involved in an accident at 20mph than 30mph, and lowering speeds will make our neighbourhoods safer and better places to live for everyone."

The limits will be introduced on a phased basis over the next three years – with schemes being designed, advertised and implemented on a phased basis.