LOCAL communities are being asked to help support their local school crossing patrols Dorset County Council needs extra help to ensure that its 56 school crossing patrols are covered when permanent members of staff are unable to work.

Rob Camp, the council’s senior road safety technician, said: “We have been fortunate for many years to be able to call upon a loyal group of relief staff, who have covered countless staff absences over many years, often at short notice when it is most important. Unfortunately, we have come to a point when new staff are required to come on board and help us maintain what is widely acknowledged as an excellent school crossing patrol service.

“The role of relief school crossing patrol is likely to appeal to someone semi-retired, or who prefers to work on an adhoc basis with flexibility.

“Relief staff are paid an hourly rate with an additional travel allowance.

“We are looking for relief staff that can either cover just one school or several schools over a larger area.

“The more casual staff we have on our books, the more likely we are able to cover our school crossing patrol sites.”

For more information about becoming a school crossing patrol officer or to apply, visit dorsetforyou.com/roadsafety/schoolcrossingpatrols