MEASURES that could spark a massive increase in the number of speed cameras on Britain's roads were announced by Minister of Transport John Spellar on Monday.

The new measures mean that forces throughout the country will be allowed to keep money generated by speed cameras - providing it is spent on road safety schemes, which could include more speed cameras.

Derbyshire, Lancashire, North Wales and Staffordshire will now join Cleveland, Essex, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, South Wales, Strathclyde and Thames Valley in the scheme.

Until now money from most of the country's 4,300 cameras has been sent straight to the Government's coffers.

In a bid to calm motorists who fear the cameras will be used as a money-spinner for local police forces, Transport Minister John Spellar said fixed cameras would have to be 'well signed and highly visible', with locations published in local papers and on websites.

He said: 'Safety cameras are playing a significant role in preventing accidents and loss of life. They are there to change driver behaviour, not to catch motorists and raise revenue.'