CAMERAS that smile or frown according to motorists' speeds were unveiled as part of a school safety scheme on Wednesday.

The cameras, which will be used in the Safer Routes to School programme for Hetton-le-Hole and Houghton-le-Spring, are Sunderland City Council's latest weapon in the battle to improve road safety for youngsters.

They show sad faces at drivers who flout the speed limit and smiling faces at those within the limit. They also display the vehicle's speed in each case.

Two portable cameras will be used outside schools for up to two hours at a time.

Yesterday, they were in action outside Hetton Primary School.

The devices are designed to complement school zones, which have recently been introduced outside seven primary schools.

These aim to alert drivers to the fact that they are entering an area where greater care needs to be taken.

Entrances to the school zones are marked by high-visibility signs and a red road surface.

Andy Morris, the city council's head of transport and engineering, said: "We are determined to reduce child pedestrian casualties in Sunderland, and we hope that the introduction of school zones, together with the new portable cameras, will contribute towards that aim."

The Safer Routes to School launch marked the beginning of a longer project in which schools will work with the council to produce travel plans.