Parents fear for the safety of their children as concerns mount that funding for lollipop ladies could be axed.

School crossing patrols are one of a number of services being reviewed by Essex County Council (ECC) in a bid to save cash.

Rodney Bass, county councillor responsible for highways, has written to fellow councillors promising no plans will be put forward until the views of lollipop men and women and schools are heard.

But county councillor James Abbott (Green, Witham Northern) described the move as “very worrying” and questioned how meaningful any consultation would be.

Debbie Harrison, 39, of Bedells Avenue, Black Notley, walks son Eddie, nine, to John Ray Junior School most days, using the crossing patrols in Notley Road, Braintree.

Daughter Rhiannon is also a pupil at neighbouring Notley High School.

Mrs Harrison said: “I hope the council don’t do away with it because it will be really dangerous and they’ll end up with blood on their hands.”

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