A NEW police officer who is guaranteed never to get tired or bored could soon be on duty in North Yorkshire - and he's made out of plastic.

If recruited, the cut-out copper, christened Traffic Constable Robin Speed, will patrol the busy A170 Scarborough to Thirsk road.

The idea was dreamed up after parish councillors in the Ryedale village of Aislaby raised concerns over speeding there, and in nearby Middleton and Wrelton. Community Sergeant Cliff Edens and then North York Moors National Park Authority officer Neil Lewis racked their brains for imaginative ideas to cut speeding - and came up with the idea of recruiting "TC Speed".

The "constable", who wears a fluorescent jacket, appears to be holding a speed gun.

He would be placed alongside roads, where it is hoped speeding drivers will instinctively slow down when they spot him.

He will be replaced regularly with a real police officer.

No date has been set for TC Speed's first day on duty, as the scheme needs Home Office approval.

But it was backed by Acting Chief Superintendent David Short, who said: "It's a good initiative and we welcome that sort of idea. Clearly we have got to make sure everything is right before we introduce such a scheme."

John Ellis, chairman of Aislaby, Middleton and Wrelton Parish Council, said the scheme was at an early stage.

"It is just a suggestion from the police at the minute, but if it is brought in and stops drivers speeding then yes, it would be welcome." Parish council colleague Barry Pickering said: "It is a good idea. I think it would put people off speeding. It is the visual deterrent. Anything is better than nothing if it is going to stop speeding."

The A170 has been the scene of numerous crashes in recent years, several fatal.

Last month, motorcyclist Stephen Bailey died when his machine was in collision with a car carrying a family of five.

Updated: 09:47 Thursday, April 24, 2003