A headteacher fears for pupils' safety if the post of a retiring lollipop man is not filled.

Pam Carter, head of Cop Lane CofE Primary, in Penwortham, said no one had yet come forward to replace Robert Williams, 75, known fondly as Bob, who retires on February 17, after 15 years.

His departure will leave hundreds of pupils walking to six different schools in the area, to negotiate traffic on the busy Cop Lane.

Miss Carter said: "It's not just our pupils that will suffer because lots of children use the crossing. The traffic on Cop Lane is so busy and it's an accident waiting to happen.

"We don't want to lose Bob because he's so well-loved and everyone will miss him."

Bob of Malthouse Way, Penwortham, said he did not want to leave and shared her concerns.

He said: "Cars come so fast down the road and some of them really begrudged to stop. Drivers are so impatient. I just don't know what will happen."

Penwortham is one of ten sites locally which have no school crossing patrols, including two at Tardy Gate and Brownedge Road, in Lostock Hall.

Janet Langtree, a parent governor at St Gerard's RC School, Lourdes Avenue, Lostock Hall, said: "The Tardy Gate junction is so dangerous. I walk my children to school every day to make sure they get there safely."

Ken Speak, manager of Lancashire School Crossing Patrol Service, said: "It worries me that there is such a shortage. This is an ideal opportunity to play an important part in your local community and really make a difference."

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