The news comes after three more fatal accidents in the last month alone brings this year's death toll to seven.

To see a graphic of where this year's deaths have taken place click here.

This is in comparison to 11 deaths in 2007, out of a total of 36 across West Sussex.

On July 5, 87-year old Allen Backshall, from Storrington, became the district's latest road casualty, after he died following a collision in the village's High Street on June 30.

It was only two days after 18-year old Craig Chard died whilst crossing the A24 on foot near Ashington.

And on June 4, dad-of-two Toby Lindgren, 28, was killed in a collision in Adversane Lane near Billingshurst.

Horsham District Council leader Liz Kitchen said the latest figures were 'appalling' and 'enormously worrying'.

Police have adopted new tactics in a bid to cut the death toll, which a senior officer said was 'too high'.

Inspector Marc Clothier, from Haywards Heath road policing unit, said: "We do think the numbers are too high and we are striving to reduce them."

The top three high risk groups are 17 to 25-year olds, motorcyclists, plus those who drink or use drugs and drive.

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