PARENTS of pupils at a Malvern school have launched a campaign for a crossing.

They say that it is crucial that a pelican crossing is installed on Pickersleigh Road, so children can get to Great Malvern Primary School safely.

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer met mothers Debbie Stanley and Lyn Parish and headmaster Jonathan Sides on Thursday to discuss the issue.

Mrs Stanley, who had urged other parents to lobby Sir Michael for action on the road, has two children at the school, Megan, 10 and Jack, seven. She has been involved with plans for a crossing for 18 months.

She said: "It is a main through road and because the school is in a dip, people don't notice that the school's there until it's too late. The Highways Partnership always tells us that because there has never been an accident there, it isn't crucial to build a crossing, but we don't want to wait until it gets to that point."

Mr Sides agreed that action was needed as soon as possible.

He has been seeing pupils across the road in the mornings and evenings in place of an official crossing patrol officer and says it cannot continue.

Mr Sides said: "The crossing would be an absolute godsend, not only because I will not be able to continue crossing the children forever, but because having been up there regularly, I know how dangerous the road is.

"The governors and I are fully behind the plans."

Sir Michael said: "Having had the opportunity now to assess for myself the dangers for children of Pickersleigh Road, I am convinced that a crossing is needed. I will press both the county council and the district council hard on this matter on behalf of the many parents, with whom I am in contact about it."