MORE than 50 Daily Echo readers have come forward to act as lollipop men and women following the launch of our Lolly Alert campaign.

education officers in Southampton and Hampshire say their phone lines have been busy with inquiries and they are now carrying out vetting procedures ahead of interviews and training.

We are backing their drive to recruit as many patrols as possible and fill dozens of vacancies.

Hundreds of schoolchildren are currently left to negotiate unman-ned crossings, sometimes in heavy traffic, because of a shortage of patrols.

Robert O'Reilly, head of South-ampton's education personnel, said: "So far it has been very encouraging and there could now be a substantial dent in our vacancy problem.''

Letters have also been flooding into the Daily Echo with nominations for the best lollipop man or woman in the South.

If you would like us to feature your favourite crossing patrol write to us at Newsdesk, Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Red-bridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX.

If you are interested in becoming a crossing patrol in Southampton, contact 01703 833305. For Hampshire call Carol Mabbett on 01329 316242.

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