Speeding motorists ignoring 20mph limits will be sent back to school later this year.

Sussex Police will offer speed awareness courses to motorists caught breaking the limit in 20mph zones in the coming months.

The specially tailored courses set-up specifically for 20mph offenders are still being designed.

The move has been welcomed by Brighton and Hove councillors responsible for the widespread introduction of 20mph across the city.

In a separate move, volunteers with Lewes Community Speed Watch are currently monitoring driver speeds through 20mph streets in the town as part of a national campaign.

The volunteers will be collecting data on motorists to assess the scale of speeding in 20mph zones.

If successful, the use of volunteers could also be expanded to other parts of the county.

Chief Inspector Natalie Moloney of the Sussex Road Policing Unit said officers will enforce the speed limit in 20mph zones when they witness offences being committed and would take action if residents raise concerns about repeated speeding in an area.

She said: “The speed awareness course we currently run is tailored for drivers who drive too fast on roads that have limits of 30mph or greater.

“It is not designed for those who are caught breaking the speed limit in 20mph zones.

“A specially designed 20mph speed awareness course is currently being developed nationally for the benefit of motorists who have been caught breaking the speed limit in those zones.

“It is expected that will be rolled out across the country later this year.”

Chief Insp Moloney said the upper speeding threshold to be offered the course has not yet been decided.

She added: “Community Speed Watch volunteers are operating in the same way as they do in 30mph and 40mph zones but warning letters will not be sent to drivers caught breaking the law.

“Instead the data will be collected and studied to assess the scale of the speeding problem in the area in conjunction with local authorities before we consider using the volunteers in other 20mph zones.”

Councillor Ian Davey, lead member for transport at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “It's great to see the police doing speed checks in our communities.

“Whether 20, 30 or 40 miles per hour, it's important that drivers stick to the speed limits for everybody's safety.”