THE headteacher of a Preston primary is appealing to council chiefs for a road crossing patrol amid fears for the safety for his pupils.

County council chiefs have refused an application from Roebuck County Primary, Inkerman Street, for a crossing patrol -- despite the fact that some nearby schools have two.

It is more than five years since the school had a 'lollipop' person.

Since then there has been no one to help children across the pelican crossing situated on the busy junction of Blackpool Road and Inkerman Street, despite numerous applications by the school.

Headteacher John Robinson, is now drawing up a travel plan to help children get to and from school with ease. He said: "Safety would be improved by the reinstatement of a crossing patrol person. This is a move which has the support of parents, staff and governors."

A county councillor, who is also a governor at the school, is also calling on his colleagues to re-think their decision.

County Coun Brian Johnson said: "This is a real problem as the children are very young. The parents are responsible and do not let their children go to school on their own but we need some road safety measures in place."

But county council chiefs say the qualifying criteria does not include schools where there is a pelican crossing. A spokesman said: "We will discuss this with the school and the possibility to reinstate a crossing patrol elsewhere will be considered."