CAMPAIGNERS are asking a council to think again on proposals to axe lollipop men and women by marching on a town hall to hand in a 1,300-name petition tomorrow.

Darlington Borough Council is considering replacing paid crossing patrols with volunteers as the authority looks to make savings in the face of Government cuts.

Concerned parents have joined forces with lollipop men and women to oppose the plans, which could see the 36 paid school crossing patrols axed, saving the council £300,000.

They are due to hand in their petition to David Lyonette, cabinet member for highways and transport.

Sam Towle, one of the petition’s organisers, said the service was vital.

“It is the safety of a child. What price can you put on ther life of a child?

“We are asking the council to consider a sensible assessment of whether some of the patrols could be combined to save money, rather than getting rid of the service all together.

“What we are trying to say is take it out, don’t put it in your long term budget at all. In my experience, once someth8ing goes into a budget, it is difficult to remove it. That’s why we are starting the campaign early.

“A child could be killed or seriously hurt.”

A council spokeswoman said: “We await receipt of the petition and details of what the petitioners are requesting.

“We must stress at this point that the proposal being put forward is not about removing the service. It is about doing some feasibility work over the coming year around whether the service can be provided in another way.

“If the proposal is agreed, feasibility will be undertaken this year, with no immediate changes to the service. The findings of the study will be subject to further consideration by cabinet later in the year.”

* The group is meeting at 10am in WT Stead pub, Crown Street, Darlington, at 10am to march at 11am. Anyone is welcome to join them. To sign the online petition, visit darlington.gov.uk and click on to the democracy section to find the petition. The petition can also be signed at the pub on Wednesday.