A NEW school crossing patrol is to be introduced in Westhoughton.

But three under-used sites which are no longer manned are to be removed in a review of the service.

And Bolton Council is appealing for more people to join the ranks of lollipop men and women.

The new patrol outside St Georges CE Primary School in Westhoughton follows requests from parents and staff.

The precise site and timings of the patrol will now be discussed.

The three patrols at Hardy Mill Road, Harwood; Stopes Road, Little Lever and the pelican crossing on Chorley New Road, near Ainsworth Avenue, Horwich, are to be removed as the authority's criteria for the provision of patrols are not being met.

Each site no longer has a patrol due to greater needs elsewhere.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, executive member for best value and special projects said: "I'm pleased that we have been able to provide the new patrol for St Georges School as part of our on-going review.

"We have monitored the situation and kept in touch with the schools.

"As one of the sites already has a pelican crossing, it makes sense to prioritise the service and address those sites in greatest needs.

"However we do have a problem in recruiting people to our standby list of patrols.

"Anybody who wants to apply can contact the school crossing patrol supervisor."

As reported in the BEN earlier this year, the council has been struggling to keep all essential lollipop patrol sessions covered with staff.

If anyone is interested in becoming a patrol worker they can ring Bolton 336466 between 10.30am and 2.00pm, Monday to Friday.