THE reaction of the mothers who have been acting as "lollipop ladies" to help their children across a busy road near St Simon and St Jude School Farnworth, is wholly understandable. They are worried because no replacement has been found following the retirement of a lollipop man.

But we also support Bolton council highways chief Dave Sutton, who says the mothers should not try to take the place of a lollipop person because without training and proper identification the situation may be made worse.

Helping the children to cross the road is one thing, but trying to stop the traffic is downright dangerous for both adults and children.

We hope a replacement lollipop person is found quickly. In the meantime, we urge parents and children to be cautious and motorists to drive particularly carefully near this school.

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