A GROUP of angry parents are to take to the streets in their fight for a school crossing patrol.

Pupils at Sedgley Park CP School in Prestwich have to cross the busy main roads outside school themselves after their lollipop lady of 34 years retired from the job in December.

The vacancy has still not been filled and Bury Council bosses say they have a similar problem at two other schools in the area - one job has been vacant for 13 months.

Armed with banners, the parents will protest today (Fri Jan 26) at the corner of Bishops Road and Kings Road and stop the passing traffic in a bid to gain support for their petition for a pelican crossing.

Mother-of-five Simone Clayhills (38) said: "We have been told that there has been no response to the job vacancy and there is a problem recruiting throughout Prestwich. To combat this problem we thought it would be better to have a pelican crossing that would benefit the whole community. It would be a one-off investment and the council does not have to employ anybody." Mrs Clayhills, of Albert Avenue, added: "Kings Road is very dangerous with speeding cars. I have five children and struggle to cross the road to get to school or the playground.

"Since the lollipop lady left my 10-year-old has lost all his street cred because I have to accompany him to school."

Fellow parent Nikki Floyd said that some parents continued to send their children to school unaccompanied.

She said: "On many occasions I have had to help children as young as six to cross the road.

"It's like playing chicken.

"However, no parent at the school is going to be able to do the job as they are taking their children to and from school at the time when they would have to be on duty."

Nikki, of Richmond Avenue, Prestwich, added that the petition for a suitable crossing had received much support from local shops and businesses but hoped their demonstration would highlight their plight further.

She added: "We wouldn't be doing this if we were not in a desperate situation."

Lorraine Lander, senior supervisor for school crossing patrols, admitted that Prestwich was "terrible for recruitment".

She said: "Prestwich Prep School has been without a patrol for 13 months and only this week another vacancy occurred at Park View CP School.

"We are very concerned about the lack of cover and would urge anyone interested in the positions to come forward."

A council spokesman said he would arrange for the roads around Sedgley Park CP School to be surveyed to assess if they were suitable for a controlled crossing or traffic calming measures.

Anyone interested in the jobs can contact Lorraine on 253 5781. Applicants, who should be under the age of 65, have to undergo stringent police and medical checks but no specific qualifications are required.

Wages are paid monthly at £4.77 per hour and hours of work vary according to requirements but are, at the most, three hours a day.