MOTORISTS who want to fight convictions for speeding on a stretch of road with illegal signs will find out next week how to take action.

Information packs are being prepared for drivers looking to query fixed penalty notices issued for breaking the 50mph limit on the A171 in east Cleveland.

The move follows the cases of police officers David Burlingham and Andrew McFarlane who escaped their tickets on a technicality.

The North Yorkshire PCs successfully argued the signs on the A171 between Birk Brow and Waterfall Kennels were illegal because they had a black border.

Hundreds of drivers are thought to have contacted Cleveland Police to see if they have a case against their tickets after similar signs were spotted across Teesside.

But, after a review of all the signs in Middlesbrough, Redcar, Stockton and Hartlepool, it emerged that it is only on the stretch of A171 that there is potential for an appeal. Others conform to requirements.

Drivers who received tickets are being directed to Teesside Magistrates' Court where officials are drafting an information sheet.

Justices' chief executive Colin Monson said: "We hope we will be able to deal with a number of questions people are likely to be asking.

"We have to ensure we give people sufficient information for them to be clear about what the issues are so they can decide for themselves whether it is in their interests or worthwhile to take action."

A statement from Cleveland Police said: "The anomaly recently identified with some of the signs on the A171 has been rectified and the temporary suspension of speed enforcement on the stretch of the A171 between Waterfall Kennels and Birk Brow has been lifted.

"Although members of the public may have noticed other non-prescribed signs on the roads within the force area, many of them were informatory signs, such as speed camera signs, or were additional signs such as 30mph signs on restricted roads."

North Yorkshire Police has come under pressure to discipline the two officers at the centre of the case.