LONGBOROUGH Parish Council has begun a campaign to keep large lorries out of the village.

Following the success of neighbours Donnington in obtaining a 7.5ton weight restriction on vehicles passing through their village, Longborough has decided to jump on the bandwagon.

Cllr Kerry Johnson, who proposed the restrictions, told this week's parish council meeting: "It is imperative that we get the weight restriction in place as soon as possible. Neighbouring Bourton-on-the Hill now has an advisory route in place and if we don't act, there is a strong possibility that Longborough could become a rat run for lorries. Traffic is building up as it is.

"Lower Swell has a restriction, now Donnington has one. It took them 18 months to get theirs so it imperative that we act now.

"We shouldn't have these 40-ton vehicles coming through the village. Let's put one foot on the road to avoiding any problems."

The council is writing to county councillor Barry Dare to ask him to start the campaign for a weight restriction.

Council clerk Guy Heitmann, who lives near Blockley, said: "Weight restrictions are often ignored nowadays. The truck drivers no longer look at maps, they have all got sat nav systems which tell them to turn when the roads are really not suitable for them to go."

Donnington has promised to lend its knowhow to the parish council for its campaign.