TOWN hall bosses say there has been a fantastic response to Bolton's 'lollipop lady crisis'.

There were fears that declining numbers of people applying for the job could eventually spell the end for the school crossing patrol.

But following a report in the Bolton Evening News highlighting the issue, the highways department has been inundated with applications.

A spokesman for the department said: "The response has been tremendous and we had more than 30 people ring on the day the article appeared."

He said he hoped the response would help the departments to fill 10 vacant school crossing patrols and seven standby places.

Steve Jagusz, deputy headteacher at Highfield Primary School in Farnworth, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that the vacancies look to be filled.

"The job is so important and they play a vital role in keeping the children safe and in our situation we will know that our pupils will be safe when they cross the busy junctions nearby."

The vacancies are at the Darwen Road, Hugh Lane junction; Tonge Moor Road, Thicketford Road junction; Plodder Lane, Marsh Lane junction; Rishton Lane, Lever Edge Lane junction; Bridgeman Street, Great Lever; Chorley Old Road, Captains Clough Road junction; and Chapeltown Road.