A SHORTAGE of lollipop men and women in Bolton could lead to police officers and traffic wardens being drafted in to fill their roles.

There are currently 14 vacancies and teachers are having to stand in to ensure pupils get to school safely.

Now Bolton Council wants police officers, traffic wardens, police community support officers and NCP parking attendants to provide cover at school crossings.

Trevor Higson, Bolton's principal road safety officer, said: "We've always had a problem recruiting staff to patrol crossings and we're looking at ways to resolve the situation.

"We've had some initial discussions with Greater Manchester Police and NCP but nothing has been formally agreed and there will need to be further investigations."

Cllr John Byrne, executive member for environmental services, whose portfolio includes school crossing patrols, said using police officers was one of the options the council was looking at.

"It will probably be more police community support officers than police officers, but if they're given the initial training I don't think it should be too much of a problem as long as they're not taken away from their duties too often and it's a stop-gap measure."

But the idea could meet with some resistance.

Superintendent Alan Greene, of GMP's traffic network section, said: "Police officers, staff and, more recently, PCSOs are required to perform a wide variety of duties in their efforts to fight crime and protect people.

"We do not, however, see this extending to staffing school crossing patrols and are certain that the solution to this particular problem lies elsewhere."

Cllr Roger Hayes, Lib-Dem environment spokesman, said: "I understand we need staff to fill these vacancies but I think it would be a stupid idea to use police officers.

"I don't think the police would be too happy about it and they've got quite enough to do without being used as amateur lollipop ladies."

Crossing patrol staff are paid £5.94 per hour and work two hours a day at peak school times.

Staff can receive £5 a week bonus pay for covering all their shifts as well as a £7.31 a week travel allowances.

Jackie Battersby, aged 38, is one of the recent recruits and works outside Bolton Parish Primary School.

She said: "I have been working here since Tuesday and so far I am enjoying it.

"I didn't realise there was a shortage, I just rang the council off my own bat.

"I'm not sure that police officers should be crossing children over the road, I imagine they have plenty of other things to with their time."

One parent, Eddie Stanton, aged 45, of Devon Street, said he thought police officers escorting children across the road was a good idea.

"If there is a shortage of lollipop ladies it would be better for police to cross the children over the road, rather than not have anyone doing it," he said.

"Anything to keep the children safe has to be the top priority because children are the most precious things in the world."