A POLICE project to clamp down on speeding bikers has been hailed a success.

Officers from GMP traffic unit took to the town's motorway network as part of a campaign to cut the speed of motorcyclists.

Motorway officers in undercover and marked vehicles took to the M61's Kearsley spur and other sections of the road on two consecutive Sundays this month.

The operation saw more than 160 motorbikers pulled over and advised about their speed as part of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions national 'Think' campaign.

Of the 162 bikers who were stopped on August 6 and 13, many were given safety advice and literature and others were issued with penalties.

Insp Geoff Tyrer, from GMP's motorcycle unit, said: "Many of the motorcyclists who we stopped and gave advice to were either young and inexperienced riders or 'born again' motorcyclists.

"They simply needed reminding about personal and road safety issues."

Motorists breaking the speed limit can be cautioned, served with a fixed penalty notice or summonsed to court, depending on how escessive their speed was.