PARENTS are appealing for a lollipop man or woman to patrol outside their children's school.

Pupils of Romsey Community School must cross one of the busiest roads in the town - the A3057 - to get to and from school unassisted.

The school has been advertising for a school crossing patroller for months but nobody has taken the job.

Only two weeks ago, an 11-year-old girl at the school was hit by a car while crossing the road on her way home from school.

Now a local councillor has joined the campaign to help the school find someone to take on the role.

Head teacher Peter Warburton said: "A number of parents are concerned about the safety of their children but we haven't got anyone who can do the job.

Advertising "The signs advertising it have been up for months."

Councillor Mark Cooper said the school has been looking for a school crossing patroller for more than nine months.

He said: "It's one of the busiest routes in Romsey and an official lorry route through Romsey.

"It's dangerous because of the heavy traffic. We have been looking very hard across the county to find a recruit and I suggested rather than advertise through the conventional way I could do a letter drop in the area."

The job requires someone to help children aged between 11 and 16 cross the road from 8.15am-9.15am and 2.50pm-3.50pm on the main crossing site at Duttons Road.

The rate of pay is £5.94 per hour and a half-pay retainer is paid during the school holidays with uniform and training provided.

Anyone interested in the job should ring Hampshire County Council on 01962 846274.