AMONG the usual batch of letters and notices youngsters at a Bromsgrove school will take home to their parents this week will be a bundle of bookmarks.

They have been designed to carry a message to families aimed at recruiting a lollipop man or women to see pupils at Charford First School safely across the road.

Charford, in common with many other schools in the county, is desperate for a crossing warden.

The job became vacant back in November 2002.

The bookmark was designed by eight-year-old Charford pupil Hannah Williams. Her entry in a competition last month was judged the best and won for her a new bike.

County road safety officer John Dakin said Hannah's design will now be used by schools throughout Worcestershire and possibly by education authorities elsewhere in Britain.

Mr Dakin said: "This is a major problem for us. We have advertised the post at Charford and other local shools including Fairfield and Catshill first and middle schools without success. We hope the bookmark will get the message across."

The first batch of 2,500 of the bookmarks will be sent out with pupils on Friday. They can also be picked up from the front counter at our office at 5 High Street, Bromsgrove.

School crossing wardens came into being just over 50 years ago and were then almost exclusively ex-policemen.

One of the first to benefit was what is today Meadows First School in Stourbridge Road.

Mr Dakin said applicants for the jobs- which, are an integral part of the local community - should be fit and active and full training will be given. For details call Tina Green on 01905 766826.

pete.lammas@midlands.

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