A NEW drive to recruit more lollipop men and women at schools across Southampton has been launched after numbers fell to their lowest ever.

Alarming figures reveal 36 out of 86 of the city's schools do not have safety patrols to help children cross roads safely.

Hampshire County Council chiefs also admit they need nearly 100 posts filling.

The shortages in Southampton have escalated since it became a unitary authority five years ago.

Now the search is on to find people who can spare up to 15 hours a week to help ensure the safety of youngsters at the city's 66 primary and junior schools, 14 secondary schools, five special schools and one early years centre.

The job is flexible - morning, lunchtime and afternoon shifts usually last between 20 minutes and one hour, depending on the site.

Applicants can work all three sessions at the same school, choose to do just one or two shifts a day or even alternate between different sites across the city.

The hourly rate is £4.96 and recruits will be given 23 days paid holiday.

It is the latest and biggest in a series of drives by the council to recruit safety patrol staff and will be featured in the city council's November edition of the City View magazine, which is distributed free to homes.

Hampshire County Council chiefs said it has 90 vacancies still needing to be filled.

They currently have 270 people already in posts.

Councillor Richard Harris, city council Cabinet member for lifelong learning and training, said: "We are constantly working with schools and parents to find safer ways of getting children to school.

"While we recognise that the ultimate responsibility lies with parents, wherever we feel there is a particular need we endeavour to provide a crossing patrol.

"At the moment we need more people to come forward and apply for jobs to ensure that all our patrol vacancies are filled.

"It is a rewarding job that is flexible and can fit in around other work commitments."

For more information about becoming a lollipop man or woman in Southampton, contact Liza Smith on 023 8083 3893. For details on posts at the county council ring 01962 846274.