VILLAGERS near Worcester are pleading for drivers to slow down after a couple’s cat was run over and left for dead by a speeding motorist.

They fear that next time a pedestrian could be the victim as drivers ignore an electronic 30mph enforcement sign in the village of Longley Green, Suckley.

Chris Vaughan and Anna Wintrip’s British blue cat Diego was left with a collapsed lung and a ruptured diaphragm after it was hit by a car.

Another of their cats was killed by a speeding motorist in the same area last year.

They believe that a shared vehicle activated sign (VAS), put up this month at the entrance to the Bruff Business Centre near their home has had little impact.

Mr Vaughan said: “This village is being spoilt by a number of ignorant drivers who regularly flout the speed limit. Many pets have suffered along this stretch of road, but it’s only a matter of time before an adult or child is seriously hurt. The vet told us that Diego is extremely lucky to be alive – we’ve been given four different medications to help his recovery.

“Speeding isn’t restricted to delivery drivers and lorries — local residents and farmers aren’t blameless either. The flashing VAS is a step in the right direction, but a permanent speed deterrent is desperately needed.”

The VAS camera was bought last year from Worcestershire County Council funds following complaints about speeding between Bransford and Suckley. It is shared between Suckley, Alfrick and Leigh and Bransford parish councils and moved regularly between the parishes to tackle speeding. Diana Taylor, the clerk of Suckley Parish Council, said that in the first four weeks of the VAS camera being installed, 5,160 vehicles were recorded exceeding 32mph.

“We are hoping to build up enough statistical information to pressure the police authorities to at least have a presence with a speed camera from time to time.”

The parish council has now set up a meeting with a highways engineer from Worcestershire County Council and wants the authority to consider installing rumble strips, speed bumps or something similar.