PARENTS are demanding action to end the danger at a crossing 'black spot' in Lancaster.

Pupils going to Moorside and St Bernadette's RC primary schools are in daily danger because there is no lollipop person on Barton Road they say.

They are petitioning Lancashire County Council for urgent action - and have won the backing of Lancaster and Wyre MP Hilton Dawson.

More than 90 residents flocked to a meeting at Barton Community Centre on Monday to discuss measures needed to make the Bowerham Road/ Barton Road junction safe for kids to cross.

"I was shocked at the conditions and found it hard to get across the road myself," says Mr Dawson.

"I saw some children having to rush across the road in the face of fast moving traffic - I would not want my child to cross that road," he told the Citizen.

The county council says it is trying to recruit a lollipop person for the junction but mum-of-two Anna Goddard says that it not good enough - the situation cannot continue any longer.

"The county is responsible for providing a crossing service and something needs to be done now," she says.

"We are not going away and we will do whatever it takes to get this resolved very quickly."

Moorside Primary head teacher Len Guest says much the traffic is caused by parents dropping their children off at school, but believes they are left with no option and are 'trying to do the safe thing'.

"Parents at both schools want immediate solutions and are concerned the only thing that will trigger action is an accident," he adds.

o Employing a crossing patrol has also hit a block at Kellet Road, Carnforth, Ovangle Road, Morecambe, and Torrisholme Square, Morecambe - where there have been vacancies for more than a year.

"The situation has improved in the past few years but we still have 22 vacant posts in Lancashire," says crossing patrol manager Ken Speak.

To join the crossing patrol team, call 01772-646810.