THE first speed camera in the North-East to sport a bright yellow cover under new Government guidelines is expected to get its first lick of paint today.

Cleveland Police were chosen for a pilot scheme for the "cash for cameras" road safety scheme, and will be painting their only moveable version of a static camera.

The move comes in the wake of tough restrictions on the use of speed cameras, drawn up by ministers in an attempt to placate motorists.

Guidelines announced in early December ruled that camera housings should be yellow, and should not be obscured by bridges, signs, trees or bushes, and must be visible within set distances - and have clear warning signs.

Inspector Steve Lawson, of Cleveland Police traffic department, said the force had only one mobile version of a static camera, which was moved from site to site, and had been waiting for the right weather conditions to paint it.

The authority also increased the number of officers operating mobile cameras from one to four, covering 33 known accident blackspots.

In the first year of the scheme, accidents have been reduced by 44 per cent and casualties by 30 per cent.

He said: "The vans we use are now marked up with chevron markings on rear doors and police signs on the sides.

"The roads we operate on are also well signposted and marked on our website."