PORTABLE radar/laser detectors are being snapped up by Fylde motorists attempting to sidestep speeding tickets.

Dozens of drivers are picking up fines and penalty points as the region's road safety speed campaign surges ahead.

As a result, motorists are now buying the devices which detect cameras and radar/laser guns used by police.

Steve Warburton of Radio Shack, St Annes, reports an increased demand for the detectors.

He said: "People who are likely to speed are the ones buying detectors. We've heard that police are condoning the use of these devices because they make drivers slow down."

The most basic model, the Snooper S5, costs £99.99 and picks up all major bands including fixed speed cameras and hand-held radar/laser guns.

"We sold the last of the current stock and there are more on order," says Steve.

However, the performance of the £299 Snooper SLD920 laser diffuser is miles ahead. This is a powerful device which fits neatly behind a vehicle's grill. It's also an illegal one.

When its sensors identify a speed gun or camera in action, a split-second radar message automatically fires back and corrupts the police record.

Craig Stewart is joint proprietor of Stewarts Radio on Caunce Street, Blackpool. He received a delivery of these laser diffusers last week.

"I expect to do a lot of business. The price isn't high when you consider the cost of speeding fines," he said.

"As far as I'm aware, it's not illegal to carry a laser diffuser in a car but it's against the law to use it."

Lancashire Police say they are not aware of any legislation covering the purchase or sale of such equipment, but confirm that its use is illegal. "Motorists would have no need to use such equipment if they observed the speed limits," said a police spokesperson.

"We would not condone any equipment that allows anyone to break the law. Road collisions bring death and misery to individuals and their families and as such the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety aims to make the county a safer place to walk, cycle, ride and drive.

"It is a sad fact that speed is a factor in more serious collisions and deaths -- this is something that we cannot ignore. Slowing drivers down is the key to reducing the number of people killed and injured on the roads in Lancashire.

"We are being open about where speed enforcement checks will be situated as both mobile and fixed camera sites have been well publicised. We are not trying to catch people out -- we are trying to slow them down. Success for the project is nobody being prosecuted for speeding."

Blackpool Borough Council's road safety officer Carol Bracegirdle says that the speed campaign is already showing positive results. "A total of 25 per cent of drivers were exceeding the speed limit in St Annes Road, Blackpool, before the campaign and since its inception this figure has dropped to four per cent," she said.

"It's just unfortunate that we are having to force people to change their attitudes."

Lancashire Partnership's website www.safe2travel.co.uk identifies the exact location of all the area's existing and proposed speed camera sites and mobile units.