A LOLLIPOP warden quit his patrol on one of the borough's busiest roads, because it was too dangerous for him - let alone young pupils.

Mr Roy Lucas handed in his notice after two "near misses" while on duty in Bury Old Road, outside Prestwich Preparatory School.

Now he is calling on Bury Council bosses to provide a pelican crossing before a child is seriously injured.

Children have now been without a permanent replacement since Mr Lucas left before Christmas, despite council bosses advertising the job.

One six-year-old pupil, Assim Janghir, was in collision with a van outside the school, just hours after we published a story highlighting the problem.

Worried parents have written to the council and the local MP to demand action.

Mr Lucas (63) said: "It's horrendous, and motorists do not care. It is dangerous for an adult."

He recalled numerous incidents where he, young children, and their parents, had had lucky escapes with motorists who simply ignored the raised lollipop stick, which legally commands traffic to stop.

A stand-in is manning the crossing but cannot guarantee to be there everyday.

Mr Ian Lord, Bury's engineering manager, explained it was "unlikely" a pelican crossing would be justified as it would only be in demand at school times when, usually, a warden would be there.

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