London roads 'risk' for children

Aggressive motorists put off new lollipop recruits, the survey says

London is the most dangerous city for schoolchildren to cross the road in England and Scotland due to a lack of lollipop people, a survey has found.

Fuel company Jet says 37% of the city's crossing patrols are unmanned compared to a national average of 17.5%.

Of the 55 local authorities surveyed, the London Borough of Merton had the most unmanned at 57%.

Nottingham was second on the list with 52% of schools without patrols, and Leicester was sixth with 32% unmanned.

Unsociable hours, poor pay and road rage were blamed by staff and managers for hampering recruitment.

Two thirds of lollipop men and women said they had been the victim of aggressive motorists, in what was an otherwise rewarding job.

Roy Roley of Jet said: "We were really surprised and disappointed to find out that so many lollipop men and women have been verbally abused by drivers.

"They play a vital role in keeping our children safe on the roads and we would urge all drivers to play their part by being courteous and patient at school crossing sites."