Fareham'S top councillor has made a personal plea for parents in Whiteley to come forward and fill vital posts as lollipop wardens.

Sean Woodward's appeal comes after a three-year-old girl was left in a hospital intensive care unit after she was knocked down by a car as she crossed a busy road.

Fareham Borough Council leader Cllr Woodward, a parent who lives in the village, wants mums and dads to take responsibility for their own children by patrolling Yew Tree Drive themselves.

He said: "I have said this before, the children's safety is the parents' biggest motivation in all this.

"There are about 700 children that go to the schools in that area and countless parents. There must be people who are willing to take on the role and work out a rota between them.

"It is just two hours a day but it will make all the difference."

Parents say that the busy road is chaotic around school times with scores of cars parked by pavements.

Last week a toddler was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken pelvis and head injuries after she was hit by a car.

She is now said to be in a comfortable condition at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, Portsmouth.

Concerned parents said it was an accident waiting to happen and called MP Mark Oaten to the scene.

He told the Daily Echo: "This has been a real wake-up call and I'm urging the county to get a crossing in place at least by Christmas. They are sat on a lot of money for Whiteley through contributions made by developers and some of it ought to be used to make things safer for children."

Cllr Woodward wants parents to take charge before then and provide crossing wardens between them.

Anyone interested in filling the paid crossing warden positions from either 8.30am to 9.30am or 2.45pm to 3.45pm should contact Hampshire County Council on 01962 841841.