WORRIED parents and councillors are still hunting for a lollipop person near their local school - four months after their case was backed by City of York Council.

Residents want someone to serve as a crossing patrol in Holgate Road, to help prevent a repeat of an accident last year in which a pupil was hit by a car and injured.

Local councillors say the stretch of road, just west of Holgate Bridge, is "an accident waiting to happen", with many St Paul's CE Primary School pupils using the route on their way to and from school.

In June, a 350-name petition was presented to the council, and pupils Ruth McMonagle and Nonny Kesteven spoke in support of a crossing patrol.

The council recommended that a patrol be sought, but said finding one could be a problem and now, four months on, parents and pupils are still waiting.

Parent Megan Rule, who presented the petition in June, said today: "Last December, a child from St Paul's was hit by a car. The driver had failed to see the red light at the pelican crossing. We desperately need a lollipop person to help our children safely across the road."

Holgate councillor Denise Bowgett, who is also a governor at St Paul's nursery, said: "A number of children cross this road unaccompanied en route to local schools. Some vehicles do not stop at the lights in time and a crossing patrol person would ensure that the children only cross when it is safe to do so.

"Sometimes vehicles stop on the crossing when the traffic comes to a standstill and I have seen young children leap between cars to cross the road. A lollipop person would certainly be welcomed by the local community."

Similar recruitment problems have been encountered at nearby Poppleton Road Primary, which has been without a patrol for nearly two years.

Sonja Crisp, school governor and local councillor, said: "I attended a meeting of school governors this week and we are adamant this service is essential for the safety of local children.

"The council says it needs to undertake a review of the site to assess the need for a patrol, but I feel this is a waste of time and money.

"I and fellow councillors will be doing all we can to push for those people needed for Poppleton Road and St Paul's schools crossings."