SAFETY campaigner David Porter has been warned against helping children and their parents across a busy road.

Mr Porter escorted pupils of Lydney Church of England school across the main road through Lydney between the old police station using a home-made lollipop sign.

But last Thursday afternoon he says two police officers approached him and told him he could be arrested for a breach of the peace if he carried on.

Not to be put off Mr Porter has been back "on duty" on Friday morning with two new roadside signs asking drivers to slow down and was there again at the start of the week.

Gloucestershire County Council and the school have also expressed disquiet about the impromptu lollipop man.

Mr Porter, of Bathurst Road, Lydney, said: "This is a very dangerous piece of road and there is more traffic coming.

He said: "It's a busy road and with the by-pass closed there is even more traffic coming through the centre of Lydney.

"I started a petition to get a crossing and since then the lollipop lady who used to be there has gone.

"I decided something needed to be done and so I made a sign.

"Two police officers came and said I could be arrested for a breach of the peace if kept on crossing the children."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "The officers do not recall saying anything about a breach of the peace but they were concerned he did not have the powers to act as a school crossing patrol."

A spokeswoman for Lydney C of E Primary School said: "We have a crossing patrol in place on Bream Road and we are looking to recruit a new school crossing patrol as soon as possible on the High Street by the library. As the traffic is faster on the Bream Road, it is important that the current crossing patrol should remain there, and we also know that traffic on the High Street will significantly reduce when the Lydney bypass reopens following essential works next week.

"We have asked Mr Porter to move on as he is not authorised to stop traffic, has not received any road safety training and is not insured. We have also spoken to parents asking them to use an alternative safe crossing point, as there are two within a short walking distance."

Brian Watkins, Gloucestershire's local highways manager, said: "We have received a petition requesting another pedestrian crossing on Lydney High Street and we are about to start the assessment process, which will include traffic and speed surveys. We will keep the petitioner and the Town Council informed as we move forward with this."