Residents have been urged to "take extra care" when crossing a busy road near a school in North Baddesley after a lollipop lady was hit by a van.

Parents and pupils at North Baddesley Infant School have been left without school crossing patrols since the accident on the afternoon of December 5.

Their beloved lollipop lady, known as Gill, was struck by a Ford Transit while on duty on Rownhams Road and was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

A Hampshire county councillor has been working to find a lollipop person to replace Gill while she recovers, but in the meantime residents have been urged to remain vigilant.

Cllr Nick Adams-King, part of the Central Hampshire Road Safety Council for Hampshire County Council, said: “I was very saddened to hear about the incident that resulted in the lollipop lady attending hospital. My thoughts are with her, and I wish her a speedy recovery.

“I understand she will be off work for some time as she recovers – and this has presented the challenge of finding a new lollipop person.

“This has always been a notoriously difficult task for local councils as the job only requires a person for certain hours of the day and these hours are not particularly flexible.

“However, I have continued to tell residents that, despite budget constraints, we have a duty to make sure that every child can get to school safely.”

Rownhams Road is a busy road used by parents with prams and pushchairs traveling to and from North Baddesley Infant School.

Residents say Gill has helped children cross the busy road for more than 30 years and have been donating money to help her recover.

Anybody in the North Baddesley area that could take on the role temporarily should get in touch with Cllr Adams-King or Hampshire County Council.

He added: “We are working closely with the police in order to work out what mitigating factors we may be able to introduce on the road to stop a repeat incident.

“In the meantime, I would advise residents take extra care when crossing the road, particularly without a lollipop person.”