Campaigners caused bank holiday road chaos in Mid Sussex when they drove a convoy of cars and tractors down the A272 to highlight their call for speed cameras.

Motorists found themselves in a mile-long queue between Cowfold and Bolney.

About 18 cars and three tractors driven by Cowfold residents and donated by a local farmer formed a slow-moving convoy in protest at West Sussex County Council's refusal to install speed cameras in the village.

The two-hour protest on Sunday forced drivers to travel at half the speed limit.

Many villagers have complained of lorries, cars and motorbikes using the A272 as a racetrack but the council said there had not been enough accidents to justify the expense of speed cameras.

Debbie Ireland and Stephen Mabey, who run The Coach House pub, showed their support for the Cameras for Cowfold campaign by printing T-shirts for the protesters.

Ms Ireland, 39, said: "Everybody drives through the village as if it is a dual carriageway. They come down Brook Hill like it's a racetrack and somebody is going to get killed."

One anonymous protester has taken to placing yellow bird boxes in strategic points to mimic speed cameras.

Ms Ireland said: "The fake speed cameras have had an impact. A lot of people say the fakes are dangerous but they slow traffic down.

"We do not necessarily have to have cameras. Speed trap signs would do. If you go up to Lower Beeding they have got red on the road to mark danger points.

"There are kids everywhere in Cowfold. My ten-year-old stepdaughter crosses these roads. Every day you think 'Is a lorry going to come through the pub? Is an accident going to happen?' and you're waiting for the big crunch."

Mr Mabey said: "We have got to get some speed cameras but the council said there were not enough accidents to warrant the expense of putting cameras in.

"It's a shame someone has to be killed to get it done. Chances are it will be someone from the village."

Cowfold musician Greg Yule joined the convoy and said: "We did 30mph in a 60mph limit and 20mph in a 30mph limit. We were there for two hours and I broke down accidentally on purpose a few times."