SEDBURY children who go to Offa's Mead School are putting a plea for a crossing attendant at the top of their wish list.
It appears that school crossing patrols – or lollipop ladies and men as they are more affectionately known – are becoming a bit thin on the ground.
Which is why Gloucestershire County Council is planning an ambitious campaign to solve the shortage before it becomes a crisis.
The Offa's Mead pupils will be joining others in Dinglewell and Elmbridge in Gloucester; Brimscombe in Stroud and Leckhampton in Cheltenham by writing in no more than 20 words why their school should have a school crossing patrol.
The best entries will each receive a £10 WH Smith voucher from Gloucestershire's Road Safety Partnership.
Head teacher of Offa's Mead School, Chris Brown, said: "The road outside the school is very busy, especially at the beginning and end of the school day. It is important that children and parents walking to school are able to cross this road safely.
"The school crossing patrol makes a valuable if often unrecognised contribution to the safety of the young people in our community. We have been very fortunate to have reliable school crossing patrols in the past and would like this to continue."