PENSIONERS are living in fear of crossing a busy main road in a town centre where there is no safe crossing.

Retired councillor Walter Nunn, of Queen Street, Shildon, County Durham, said the town was in desperate need of a new crossing near the post office, in Church Street.

The 71-year-old said: "I don't want them to wait until somebody is killed or injured before the money is found to put it back in."

There used to be a zebra crossing in front of the post office, which is seen as an extremely busy area.

It was taken out to allow for the regeneration works that were done in the town.

After the work was done, an experimental crossing was put up in its place, but it was taken down amid fears it was too dangerous.

Mr Nunn said: "All the people who come from the other side of town to use the post office need to get across that road.

"I have stood and I haven't been able to get across. I have given up wanting to try. You see people almost taking their lives into their hands trying to get across."

He said the street often becomes congested with traffic, leaving drivers frustrated and upping the chances of an accident happening.

The issue was discussed at the town council meeting on Monday evening, where councillors agreed that there was a real need for a crossing.

Tracey Bellas, deputy clerk, said: "We have written to Durham County Council and Sedgefield Borough Council and we would like the crossing reinstated."

Councillor John Quigley, the town's representative on Durham County Council, backed Mr Nunn's concerns.

He said that money had already been budgeted for a crossing there in 2003 but he hoped there could be a way of bringing it forward.

He said: "I am hoping there may be a way of bringing this work forward."