13 September 2012 Last updated at 12:07 ET

Couple put up 'Heaven is full' sign to stop speeding

George and Mary Truell said they put the sign up after they found it was getting more difficult to cross the road

A couple from east Devon have erected a sign saying "Slow - Heaven is full!" in a country lane in a bid to get drivers to slow down.

The sign on Wooton Lane was put up by George and Mary Truell on the road which is used as a shortcut between new homes in Exmouth and a road to Exeter.

Highways bosses say the sign is illegal and the lane's speed limit is 60mph.

The Truells said they were refusing to remove it because it was on their land and they wanted to prevent accidents.

Speed 'unnecessary'

The sign, paid for by the Truells' son, was put up after they said they had had difficulty crossing the road because of speeding traffic.

Mary Truell said: "We know we live on a lane, and we accept the idea it has a lot of traffic on it.

"But speed is completely unnecessary and there could be bad accidents."

George Truell, 86, who served as a soldier for 40 years, added that the sign was on his land and it was "staying for the moment".

Devon County Council, which manages roads in the area, said it had "received various complaints regarding this signage".

It added: "Our plans indicate that it is on public highway, and therefore we have asked for it to be removed.

"However, as we have received correspondence that it is on private land, we are currently trying to establish [land] ownership."