ROAD safety campaigners will today present parish leaders with a 3,000-signature call for action following the death of a Waterside pensioner.

Dibden Purlieu residents say they take their life in their hands every time they attempt to cross the A326 to reach the New Forest.

Frank Harrison, 83, of Noads Way, was taking two dogs for a walk when he was hit by a car and killed three weeks ago.

More than 1,000 people, including Mr Harrison himself, had signed a petition calling for a safe crossing to be provided on the A326, which is used by more than 32,000 vehicles a day.

Petition organisers have received a flood of extra support in the wake of his death.

Protest leader Irene Plascott, of Oak Road, told the Daily Echo: "The amazing level of support shows that there is a necessity for safer access. I have never known such strength of feeling in the community before."

The petition will be presented to tonight's meeting of Hythe and Dibden Parish Council and will then be passed to Hampshire County Council, the highways authority.

Parish leaders are arranging a public meeting to give people a chance to speak out about their fears, but a date has yet to be confirmed.

Mr Harrison, 83, was killed by a Rover car driven by a 78-year-old man from Salisbury.

He had been using one of the many gates in a roadside fence that enable residents to cross to Dibden Inclosure, which is popular with horse-riders, dog-walkers and joggers.

One of the dogs also died in the accident, which happened at dusk on January 13.

The road is the main route from the Waterside into Southampton and is used by a huge number of cars, plus HGVs going to Fawley Refinery and other industrial sites.

Brian Dash, the Liberal Democrat county councillor for the area, is supporting the petition and will be present at tonight's meeting.

He said: "I have already requested a horse-crossing for the A326, which is still being considered. I hope this will accelerate it."