FEWER than one-in-five schools have signed up to a new road safety scheme launched by Hampshire County Council.

Just 87 out of the county's 570 infant, junior, primary, secondary and special schools are to install new signs urging drivers not to exceed 20mph outside the school gates.

The poor response comes after the council announced that the schools themselves would have to cover the £200 cost of the two signs, or £450 with posts.

However, the council's executive member for the environment and transport, Mel Kendal said he was pleased with schools' response to the scheme. He said: "Some of the schools have not requested the signs because they don't think they need them."

The HCC signs will feature a blue and brown snail with the slogan "please slow down" and will be put up early next year.

Across Southampton council bosses have said they will install "20 is plenty" signs outside all 84 city schools from January too.