ST HELENS Council is appealing to motorists to show more courtesy to the town's 'lollipop' men and women.

This hard-working group of around 70 men and women do an invaluable job in all weathers by helping youngsters and their parents to cross the road in safety. But all too often drivers ignore school crossing patrol operatives as they step into the road to stop the traffic.

To help raise awareness of the crossing patrols, St Helens Council joined forces with Halton Borough Council and local authorities across Merseyside to form MASC, the Member Authority School Crossing group.

LEAFLETS

It will shortly be distributing leaflets around the borough, which urge drivers to slow down and stop for school crossing patrols.

Funded by the council's Road Safety Unit, the leaflets will be widely distributed to places including stores, petrol stations and restaurants.

Meanwhile, there are vacancies for school crossing personnel in the Ashton-in-Makerfield/Haydock, Hard Lane, Rainhill and Thatto Heath areas. Anyone who is interested in applying for a post should contact school crossing patrol supervisor Jeanette Stevens on 01744 456721/456722.