STAFF and parents fighting to get a replacement lollipop lady at their school have been told they will win their campaign if they can get 50 children to use the crossing.

Mums and dads of pupils attending Runwell Primary School, in Canewdon Gardens, Wickford, want Essex County Council to provide a safe way for youngsters to cross Swan Road, after being told their retiring lollipop lady would not be replaced.

They want their children to walk to school to give them a sense of independence, but claim it is not safe without a crossing patrol.

Last week, the county council said it would conduct an assessment to decide whether a lollipop person was needed, and has provided a temporary lollipop man.

But headteacher Jeremy Crook is hopeful the post will become permanent.

He said: “We’ve been told if we can get 50 youngsters to use the crossing every morning then the numbers will add up, and we will get a permanent replacement.

“We’re hopeful we can do this. At the last count we had 42 children using it, so it’s within our reach to make 50.”

Mr Crook is calling on parents who live within walking distance but normally drive their children to school to let them walk ahead of the final count, which is due to happen in the next two weeks.

He said: “If we can get 50 pupils walking to school that will be good in itself, as it’s a message we’re always trying to encourage.”

Mum Anita Hogwood, 45, of Alderney Gardens, Wickford, is also hopeful.

She said: “When we had 42 at the last count, that was without the new intake of reception class children, so fingers crossed we will achieve this.

“Having a lollipop person is so important for the safety of our children. I hope parents whose children can walk to school will support us over the next two weeks.”

Essex County Council confirmed an assessment would be carried out this month, and explained it would follow national guidelines to calculate whether the school needs a crossing based on a formula.

This formula takes into account the number of youngsters crossing and the volume of traffic.

The school has 250 pupils.