A 20mph speed restriction throughout Bridport has been suggested to put the brakes on boy racers.

Road safety campaigners say the lower limits currently operating outside two of the town's primary schools could be extended to cover every street.

The idea was put forward by Coun Keith Cast at a meeting of the town council's highways and transportation sub committee.

He said he realised it would not have much effect during the day when the town was full - but at night it might slow down the 'circuit and bump racers who go at massive speeds'.

Coun Phil Lathey said new rules meant 20mph restrictions could now be imposed in areas like housing estates without the need for associated traffic calming measures, such as speed humps.

And county council traffic safety leader Doug Chalmers confirmed that a 20mph limit could be adopted throughout Bridport town centre - although he doubted whether such a measure alone would deter young drivers from speeding.

"Just changing the signs will not necessarily reduce the speeds so you have to put in traffic calming," he said. "As for a blanket 20mph for Bridport, that is something that could be considered but we would need to be convinced that it would reduce accidents.

"At peak times there is no speeding problem in Bridport - certainly not in East or West Streets.

"At night it comes down to enforcement. If there is just a sign and no physical measures (speed bumps) what's to stop someone who wants to do well in excess of the speed limit at 11 or 12 at night?"

And a police spokeswoman said she doubted whether it was much of a deterrent for the boy racers at night.

"If they want to speed they are going to do it anyway," she said. "The limit works best when there is a police car parked on the corner."