Surrey County Council has installed a hi-tech laser warning system near a railway bridge regularly hit by clumsy drivers.

In the past, high vehicles have struck or become wedged under the bridge in Staines.

In response, the council has now installed an infra-red beam nearby, which automatically detects tall vehicles approaching.

Any vehicle breaking the beam, which shines across the approaching street at the height of the bridge, automatically triggers a sign telling drivers to turn right at the next junction, in order to avoid the bridge.

David Munro, executive member for transport, said: ‘Where we identify a particular problem, we go beyond the standard Department for Transport requirements and put in additional safety features, such as this one.