Campaigners say a village could be saved from speeding vans and lorries if residents support new traffic-control measures.

For years, Ringmer, near Lewes, has suffered from speeding drivers who are blamed for increasing the chance of accidents, frightening the elderly and bullying local motorists.

East Sussex County Council has suggested a series of measures which could control the rising amount of traffic, much of which uses the village as a short cut.

Surveys have shown traffic travelling on the A27 from Hailsham, Hastings and Eastbourne drives through Ringmer and Lewes before rejoining the road in an attempt to avoid traffic jams.

The proposed controls focus on better pedestrian crossings, more traffic islands and hatchings and street narrowing.

The council stressed these were not firm proposals and said there were no guarantees it would pay for the work.

Ringmer Against Drivers Acting Recklessly (Radar), which has long campaigned for traffic controls, has urged all village residents to support the proposals, which aim to create a smooth, slow flow of traffic without humps, bumps or obstructions.

It is asking villagers to pressure the council to at least consider fund-raising options for the work, which could cost £260,000.

Radar spokesman Graham Hunter said: "The county council says it does not have the money to pay for this. What is lacking is a 'can-do' ethos.

"We have been told other villages have managed to raise the money for traffic-calming measures so why can't we?

"There must be a way. Perhaps there are benefactors or sponsors we could go to or other means we can look at.

"The council should acknowledge this."

He said up to 6,000 vehicles a day broke the speed limit in the village and up to 12,000 vehicles a day used its main highway.