Drivers will be fined if they do 38 mph in a 30 mph zone

From Thursday, people caught driving at speeds only slightly over the limit will be cautioned or sent on speed awareness courses.

But motorists who are well over the speed limit will still be fined.

In the past year, speed cameras caught almost 130,000 offenders in the county, raising £7m in fines.

The move is a major change in policy for Lancashire Police and follows a review commissioned by Chief Constable Paul Stephenson examining speed-related issues.

'No green light'

Drivers caught speeding in a 30mph zone will be cautioned if they reach 35mph, offered a speed awareness course at 36 and 37mph, and given a fixed penalty if they reach 38mph.

Previously, motorists received a fixed penalty if they went over 35mph.

Drivers will be allowed one caution in a three-year period for their first speeding offence.

They will then be offered a speed awareness course if they offend again.

Lancashire Police said the new policy was not a "green light" for people to drive more quickly in the county but was about dealing with people in a "flexible manner".