MOTORISTS today are constantly having to be aware of speed cameras and mobile speed checks.

But these are nothing new as this photograph from our archives shows.

Taken in 1963 it shows Sergeant Tom Clarkson of Blackburn Borough Police’s traffic department operating one of the forces newest pieces of equipment.

Blackburn had been allocated a new radar detection set to check on the speed of approaching cars.

The unit was fixed into a patrol car and measured the speeds of vehicles on the road.

In 1963 there were far fewer vehicles on the road but speeding offences were still taken seriously and Blackburn was at the forefront of introducing the latest technology.