Hounslow's proximity to busy motorways could be behind the high number of people killed in car accidents, according to firemen.

Last year emergency services were called to a shocking 791 road accidents across the borough, which left nine people dead and another 94 seriously injured.

Six pedestrians were killed, including two children, and 76 cyclists were injured.

Feltham fire chief Mark Phillips said: "There are a lot of very busy roads running through Hounslow and Feltham in particular.

"Many people coming in on the motorways forget to slow down as they hit the residential areas. But people can protect themselves by being as careful as possible while crossing the road or driving themselves."

Since January this year ambulance crews, firemen, police and council staff have been working together, as Hounslow Road Safety Forum (HRSF), to try to make the borough a safer place to drive, walk and cycle.

"One casualty of a road traffic accident is one too many," said ambulance operations manager John Huggins, from the Isleworth station. "We're very pleased to be working with the other emergency services to raise awareness of the importance of road safety.

"I've treated patients injured in road traffic accidents and witnessed first hand the effect they have on families. It's not pleasant work, particularly as you know that there will be a family somewhere not yet aware of the terrible news that's to come."