A HIGH-PROFILE campaign has been launched to beat a shortage of lollipop people on Southamp-ton's school crossings.

Recruitment adverts have been placed on ten First City buses taking popular routes in a bid to bring forward socially-minded citizens to help children get to school safely.

The one-month trial campaign, which runs until mid-December, has already brought in several applicants, but more are desperately needed to end the long-running shortage of lollipop people.

There are currently no patrols in operation on 21 of the city's 87 schools crossings despite earlier recruitment efforts, including a Daily Echo appeal.

Cis Dilmege, headteacher of St John's Infant and Nursery School, said: "We have been without one for five years despite repeatedly advertising the post.

"Parents do bring their children to school but they have to cross roads pushing buggies and holding small children in their hands without anyone to help them.

"We are right at the city centre and the High Street and Castle Way are both very busy. For the safety of the children, we would appeal to anyone interested to come forward as soon as possible."

Michelle Dickinson, city council education personnel officer, said: "We are very concerned at the lack of school crossing patrol staff because it means children are not getting helped across roads on their way to and from school.

"People may not realise the full satisfaction that being a lollipop person can bring. It is a sense of helping the community and being part of a school community by making sure that children get to school safely.

"The other attraction is that it is a flexible job. The council can accommodate people who want to work only in the mornings or afternoons and it can fit round a wide range of other interests. We also welcome applications from people over 65 years of age."

If the campaign is successful, the council would consider running it or similar initiatives every school term, she added.

School crossing patrol officers are paid an hourly rate of £4.77 and receive 23 days of paid annual leave. During the rest of the school holidays, they receive a retainer of half their normal pay.

People who propose a potential lollipop person are paid £100 under the council's Find a Friend scheme if the person is recruited and stays in post for at least six months.