A SCHOOLBOY is facing a David and Goliath battle against Bolton Council in an amazing campaign to save lives.

When most boys head for their Play Station after school,11-year- old Joe Maughan hits the streets in his lone crusade to slow traffic near his play area on Roscoe Road.

And in just three days, the enterprising youngster has collected more than 150 names on a petition to install speed ramps on the Kearsley street.

His quest was sparked after his uncle, 13-year- old James McGuinness, was knocked down by a car two weeks ago.

Although the teenager suffered just minor cuts and bruises, the incident shocked Joe into action.

And the youngster is now going to face town hall officials as he hands in the petition next week. Residents have been suprised, and left a little bit ashamed, of the young boy's determination to tackle white collar bureaucrats.

Mark Griffiths, a resident of Greenmount Park, said: "Whilst petitions and requests for speed ramps are fairly common, I was suprised and a little ashamed to see this youngster take the initiative.

"I feel that he deserves some recognition."

Joe, a pupil at George Tomlinson School, explained: "James was so lucky. It wasn't the drivers fault. James was taking a short cut and came from a ginnel on his bike. It is a blindspot for drivers.

"If the driver had been going fast, then James could have been killed."

And Joe is so worried for the safety of his friends and young brother,Tom, aged six, that he has launched his own initiative.

"The road near where we sit and talk has fast drivers. I hear that police only take action if somebody has been killed.

"I don't want that to happen."