A total of 28 drivers were stopped after committing motoring offences outside a Towy Valley primary school in just a couple of hours.

24 of the drivers were pulled over for speeding, including one motorist who was doing 50mph, and a further four drivers were stopped for not wearing a seatbelt outside Nantgaredig School.

Pupils were joined by officers from the council’s road safety unit as well as officers from Dyfed-Powys Police and the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The offending drivers were given the option of speaking to the pupils to explain why they were speeding instead of receiving penalty points and a fine.

Headteacher Steffan Griffiths said: “On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank everyone involved for including the year six pupils with this important initiative to reduce the speed of vehicles travelling outside Nantgaredig school.

“The pupils couldn't believe that 24 drivers were stopped for various offences within a couple of hours. Some of the drivers caught have thanked the pupils directly for the manner in which they questioned the offenders.

“The message to drivers in the local area is that the speed limit remains the same all day in Nantgaredig and not just for an hour in the morning and at the end of the school day. I sincerely hope that the drivers caught will change their driving habits for the future.”

Those not wearing their seatbelts attended a hard-hitting 20-minute presentation with MAWWFRS officers on the devastating consequences of not wearing a seatbelt rather than be issued with a fixed penalty.

18 drivers chose to face the children and eight received driver warnings, including two that spoke to the pupils.

The council’s Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “It was particularly worrying to hear that one driver was travelling 50mph on a 30mph road and did not slow down when he saw the signs for the school. It is also of concern that some of the drivers stopped were from the local area.

“Hopefully this initiative will make people think about the speed they are travelling, particularly outside schools, and remind them that they must wear a seatbelt, it could save their life one day.

“Having to face the children and answer their questions can be quite a sobering experience for the drivers.”