Heavy trucks and lorries are using village lanes as a rat-run, say civic leaders in Stoke Prior.

Members of the parish council are concerned that the lanes are being used instead of Hanbury Road and they want something done before there is an accident.

County councillor June Longmuir, whose south Bromsgrove area includes Stoke, has now taken the issue up with Bromsgrove Highways Partnership manager John Fraser. She told Mr Fraser that the villagers have come to the end of their tether with the noise pollution and damage generated by the heavy goods vehicles.

The villagers believe that the lorry drivers are using Shaw Lane and Weston Hall Road as a quick by-pass, to escape traffic in Hanbury Road.

Cllr Longmuir says the vehicles have damaged the gutters and village drains, which causes problems in the heavy rain.

"People take their life in their own hands when walking on these roads with lorries scooting round the corner at 40mph," said Cllr Longmuir.

Parish council chairman Thelma Roll also fears for the lives of youngsters arriving and leaving Stoke Prior First School, in Ryefields Road, as the heavy lorries fly past.

The civic leaders are also concerned that at the top of Weston Hall Road, large vehicles had rubbed away at the wall to such an extent that cables were now exposed.

Mr Fraser said: "This needs to be brought to the attention of the appropriate utility but as far as the problems with heavy vehicles is concerned we will come up with a plan and look into the situation further next month."