Flers in Normandy is an old textile manufacturing centre, best known these days for its cider and Calvados. Its Saturday market beneath the medieval walls could not be more typical of rural France. But Flers is less French than it used to be: mainly because of its proximity to the Channel, about 3,000 people, one-sixth of the population, are from the UK, and some of the new arrivals have apparently forgotten that France drives on the right.

The local police have launched a poster, leaflet and windscreen sticker campaign to remind their British expatriates of the dangers of continuing to drive on the left. Most incidents, according to lieutenant Eric Turmet, responsible for the campaign, occur when motorists leave hotels, restaurants and shops. There have been two fatal accidents attributable to this cause in the past two years. ‘We had to take action to avoid another tragedy’, said Turmet.

The posters proclaim, ‘For your safety, keep right on French roads’.