ANGRY villagers will take advice from an employment lawyer after claiming their popular lollipop man has been hounded out of a job.

Tony Williams reluctantly gave his notice after council bosses ordered him to stop taking his two Newfoundland dogs, Alfie and Lulu, to work because they could be a distraction.

He was warned he would face the sack if he did not comply.

But campaigners in Hamble persuaded Mr Williams to withdraw his resignation after collecting more than 1,000 signatures on a petition.

The county council would not accept the withdrawal unless he confirmed in writing that he would no longer take the dogs to work - something he was not prepared to do.

Mr Williams told the Daily Echo: "It is a matter of principle. They were paying me until the end of November so I kept going. But, very reluctantly, I decided to stop because I was given no option."

But the former Hampshire police officer, who had been manning the Hamble Lane crossing outside the village's primary school for nine years, added: "The mums are still fighting it. They are still hoping to get me back.

"I love the job but it wouldn't be the same without the dogs.

"That road is so busy I feel worried to think there is no one there now."

One of the petition organisers Lucy Sullivan said: "There were several very upset children and some very disappointed parents on Monday when Tony wasn't there."

But she pledged that the campaign would continue and added: "This fight is a long way from over. It is totally and utterly ridiculous and I don't see why the community should lose someone like this."

She claimed the county had "bullied" the lollipop man and said advice was being sought from an employment lawyer.

Hampshire County Council rejected the claims of bullying.

A spokeswoman said: "We have gone to extraordinary lengths with this gentleman to try to resolve the situation.

"Because he has said he doesn't want to do the job without his dogs he tendered his resignation and that was accepted."