A veteran councillor and former mayor has made a last ditch plea for measures to make life safer in the village he has represented - following the tragic death of a pedestrian.

Cllr Colin Rayner - who is currently the Royal Borough's deputy mayor - used the last council meeting before next week's election to raise the issue of safety on Wraysbury's roads following the death of pedestrian Syed Shiraz Haider Zaidi, 35 in a hit and run accident in Wraysbury Road in March.

The victim was a director of the Royal Grill restaurant in nearby Staines.

Mr Rayner, who is not standing again in the election, claimed says he has tried unsuccessfully for years to persuade the council to contribute to more CCTV cameras and number plate recognition equipment on the road.

He said: "I have had to visit too many families who have lost loved ones in Wraysbury."

He was supported at the meeting by Wraysbury residents, who say that cars approaching the Wraysbury Road from the M25 are failing to slow down with some cars and lorries speeding in excess of 60 miles an hour.

Residents say cars park on footpaths and in the bus stop layby, putting children and adults at risk as they have to stand in the road to be seen by approaching buses. They also say mums with prams and disabled people have to walk in the road to get round the cars.

In response to a question from Cllr Rayner at Tuesday's council meeting, lead member for highways and deputy council leader Phill Bicknell revealed there had been been three fatal accidents and 19 that caused serious injury in Horton and Wraysbury since 2005.

After the meeting he told the Observer that officers had been investigating the situation in Wraysbury Road and that action would be taken.

He said: "There is a whole range of things we need to consider - this could include yellow lines to stop cars parking there, possible speed reductions, or extra cameras.

"I am very concerned and would be devastated if there were any more fatalities."

A 20-year-old man from Chatham and a 21-year-old from Gillingham arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after March's fatal accident have been released without charge.

A 19-year-old from East Malling, Kent remains under investigation.