PUPILS at a Pershore school are celebrating after a successful campaign to introduce a lollipop patrol.

Worried schoolchildren at Abbey Park Middle School, Abbey Road, wrote to MP Sir Michael Spicer to highlight the problem of crossing the stretch.

The West-Worcestershire Tory MP visited the school in July.

He approached Worcestershire County Council with the idea of introducing a manned patrol outside the school.

The council has since carried out a survey and is now advertising the post of a crossing guard.

"I'm absolutely delighted by the news," said Sir Michael.

"The matter was originally raised with me by the children themselves.

"It shows how worthwhile was their initiative in inviting me to the school and in raising the issue with me.

"I now hope the crossing will be manned as soon as possible."

Sir Michael has written to 12-year-old Sam Fowles who raised the issue with him.

Sam, now a pupil at Pershore High School, alerted the MP when he visited the school on the invitation of the school council.

"We're thrilled to bits with the news," said headteacher Lynn Evans. "The children can see their debate put into action.

"The council invited Sir Michael and hosted him on his visit.

"They took him round the school and he was quite impressed by them."

The crossing will be used by pupils at both Abbey Park First and Middle Schools.

"We carried out a survey several years ago but it didn't meet the criteria at that time," said Roger Woodward, road safety officer at Worcestershire County Council.

"Circumstances have changed somewhat since then."

"We're now advertising the post and hope someone will want to take the job on. It's not a hard job but it's very responsible."

There are currently 125 crossing guards in the county, but there are 12 posts yet to be filled.