YOUNGSTERS at Hamble Primary School just love gentle giants Alfie and Lulu along with their school crossing patrol officer owner Tony Williams.

The two Newfoundland dogs are regular fixtures at the pelican crossing near the school where retired Hampshire policeman Tony works on weekdays - so much so that they are said to be part of the school.

Now, angry parents are warning that's exactly how it will stay after Tony was ordered to stop bringing his dogs or face the sack.

A huge community campaign has already swung into action. Petitions are now circulating outside the school gates and in many of the village's local shops in a bid to keep Tony and his dogs on duty.

But devastated Tony, a retired police officer, has said if the dogs have to go then he will too.

Petition organisers Lucy Sullivan, who has two children at Hamble Primary, and Angela Lilly, who has a grandchild at the school, said parents were outraged when they heard about the situation.

"Tony and his dogs are part of this school and they are staying part of this school. The children love the dogs and it stops them running across the road. They sit down and the children pet them," said Mrs Lilly.

Miss Sullivan added: "It's just ridiculous, there should be some element of common sense. The dogs are not dangerous - he takes them into children's homes and nursing homes."

Sixty-five-year-old Tony - who served 32 years with Hampshire Constabulary - confirmed he had been told by council bosses that unless he stopped bringing his dogs to the school crossing he would be given notice.

He said: "If the dogs don't come I won't do it. I only took this job on because I was walking the dog and thought I might just as well tie the dog up and do the job.

"I've been bringing the dogs for about four years and all the kids come out and play with them. I don't take them backwards and forwards across the road."

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council said that all school crossing patrol staff were issued with guidelines regarding animals in December last year.

She said: "They could be a distraction to children crossing the road. The fact that he has brought the dogs to school for several years does not have any bearing on the issue. Now the environment department is responsible for school crossing patrols we are doing lots of risk assessments and that is one of the things that has changed."