SPEED demons have been given the green light to put their foot down at a Greenock beauty spot, residents fear.

National speed limit signs have been erected on Lyle Road at the top of Lyle Hill.

The stretch of road leading to the Free French memorial has always officially been a national speed limit zone but incorrect signs indicating a 30mph limit had been in place.

Now, with the correct signs up, residents fear boy racers will wreak havoc at the accident blackspot.

William McHenery, 59, of Lyle Road said: 'I think it"s ridiculous, but what do I know - I"ve only lived here for 40 years. I"ve had two cars written off because of drivers coming round the bend at terrible speeds.

'Drivers just ignore the signs and go and do whatever speed they want.

'I think it"s absolutely stupid.' Neighbour Colin McLellan said: 'It"s crazy.

'The railings at the side have been completely mashed by drivers coming round the bend. The explicit sign is just giving them a licence to go even faster.

'As you come round the bend, the road is off-camber and there"s a change in surface. The hill is going to become a race track.' Inverclyde Council says the area has always been a 60mph zone and that the 30mph signs had been put up in error.

A council spokesperson said: 'There has been no actual change to the legal speed limit of the road.

'Our transportation team recently discovered that an error had been made some time ago regarding the interpretation of the statutory speed limit.

'Correct speed limit signs are being erected at the ends of the street lighting to indicate where the 30mph zone ends and the national speed limit of 60mph applies.

'We"d like to emphasise that, regardless of a road"s speed limit, motorists should always drive in accordance with the road"s conditions.'