EASTLEIGH'S first "Walk to School Bus" scheme could be driven off the road after hitting a conductor crisis.

For the lollipop lady who shepherds the daily convoy across one of the busiest roads in Chandler's Ford is retiring.

With no immediate replacement round the corner the eco-friendly school run has hit a major road block.

If a new lollipop person is not found before the half-term October holiday then the Walk to School Bus could be taken out of service.

Mothers on the North Millers Dale estate are on a rota of volunteers who escort about 12 children on their daily trek to Hiltingbury Infant and Junior Schools.

But lollipop patrol assistance is needed to get the crocodile of schoolchildren and their chaperons safely across the busy Hursley Road.

And Walk to School Bus organiser Helen North says: "We have no power to stop traffic and with this number of children we would not feel confident to stop traffic.

"The scheme has been running smoothly since January and this is the first problem we have had."

In a determined bid to keep the wheels rolling on the Walk to School Bus the North Millers Dale Community Association are carrying out a leaflet blitz of the area in a bid to find a new lollipop patrol.

Mrs North said they were having talks with the county council to find a way round the problem.

And the mothers have even considered training for lollipop duties to keep the walking bus firmly on the route.

Mrs North said: "If we cannot find a solution the walking bus will have to stop. It is a shame because it has been beneficial to the children, parents and schools and is an extremely nice way of keeping fit."

It has redcued traffic snarl-ups created by the traditional school run.

Commenting on the lollipop crossing situation at Hursley Road, a county council spokesperson said: "We advertised the post in August but we had no response.

"Leaflets and posters have also been sent out to schools in the area but that also drew a blank. We will be advertising again very shortly.

"The current lollipop lady has been really helpful. She was supposed to give up at the end of July but has stayed on to help out over the last couple of months."

The number of primary school pupils who are driven to school has nearly doubled in the past decade.

The School Travel Advisory Group say pupils should be encouraged to walk, cycle or take the bus to cut rush-hour traffic, improve health and reduce pollution.