PARENTS of school children who have been left without a lollipop lady for nearly six weeks say their children's lives have been put at risk.Children from Sidegate Lane Primary School, Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, have been without any help crossing the busy road outside their school ever since their lollipop lady became ill and then decided to retire.

PARENTS of school children who have been left without a lollipop lady for nearly six weeks say their children's lives have been put at risk.

Children from Sidegate Lane Primary School, Sidegate Lane, Ipswich, have been without any help crossing the busy road outside their school ever since their lollipop lady became ill and then decided to retire.

Since then, children and parents have been warned by the school to keep a close eye on their children when they cross the road.

But many parents feel they are waiting too long for a replacement school crossing patrol officer and in the meantime their children are at risk of being knocked down by passing vehicles.

Mandy Alexander, of Alexandra Road, Ipswich, said: “My son was clipped by a car a few weeks ago and I'm really not happy with the situation.

“Luckily my son wasn't hurt but he could have been killed.”

Andrew Waterman, head teacher at the school said: “We're now at the point where we have this vacancy and we haven't got anyone who is in the process of being appointed.

“I've written to parents and told them that it is really important they keep a particular eye on their children while there is no crossing patrol officer there.

“It's worrying for any head teacher when there isn't a school crossing patrol officer but we're aware that it's very hard to recruit for this post.”

The school are not expected to find a replacement until the end of the summer holidays in September.

Suffolk Police have highlighted the road as a problem area and are issuing warning tickets to offending motorists who do not abide by the traffic rules governing the area.

The north east safer neighbourhood team sergeant, Angelo Tella, has sent community support officers and police officers down to the area to provide a presence outside the school.

If you would like to be considered for the post of Sidegate Lane Primary School's crossing patrol officer please contact Andrew Waterman on 01473 727319 or call Suffolk County Council on 01473 583000.