Rat-runners have been warned to keep their speed down after villagers said they feared for their own safety.

Oxfordshire County Council is to use speed indicator devices in places such as Wheatley, Stanton St John and Elsfield, which have seen an increase in traffic since major roadworks started at the Green Road roundabout in Oxford.

Drivers have been using rat-runs to escape the congestion since the county council began a five-month improvement project which will create a road through the centre of the Headington roundabout.

It is hoped the link between both sides of the A40 will reduce congestion. It has been dubbed the "hamburger" roundabout.

The county council has promised to concentrate speed devices on the problem areas as often as it can. The machines flash a warning to drivers who are exceeding the speed limit and endangering pedestrians and other motorists.

Although they are not speed cameras, the council has approached Thames Valley Police to ask for greater enforcement on the routes affected.

The council also has a number of signs and posters which read "respect our community drive carefully" or "please watch your speed" that communities can use themselves.

County councillor David Robertson, cabinet member for transport, said: "We are asking the police to keep a close eye on what is happening so that safety is not compromised."

To request the warning signs, contact the Steve Wood on 07979 771689.