Speeding drivers are leaving Woodingdean householders in fear for children's safety on a residential street used as a rat-run.

Some 200 people have signed a petition calling for traffic calming on Downs Valley Road.

The street was the scene of a crash caused by two drivers racing one another, with one car flipping over into a garden.

Neighbour Linda Bateman, 47, said it was purely by chance the family's children were not playing in the garden at the time.

Mrs Bateman said: "Because it is a straight road, people just put their foot down. By the time they get to my house they can be doing 50 or 60mph.

"I started the petition just before Christmas. Many mums who walk their children to school signed it."

The petition was presented to Brighton and Hove City Council by ward councillor Pamela Stiles.

She said: "People try to avoid traffic lights and a speed camera by using various routes through Woodingdean as a short cut.

"The accident at Downs Valley Road could happen again at any time."

A council spokeswoman said: "We have a limited amount of money for traffic calming schemes each year.

"We use a formula taking into account things like the number of accidents. This road will be judged on the same criteria."