A LOLLIPOP lady who keeps children safe in her community has spoken of the importance of her role.

It comes as Dorset County Council seek new school crossing patrol recruits to cover posts.

The authority employs patrols to help schoolchildren cross roads safely at certain locations which meet certain criteria.

The crossing site for Wool Primary School did not meet this criteria so lollipop lady Barbara Battrick is sponsored by the school.

She controls one of five crossings in Dorset which are funded by local community sponsorship.

The others are at Bere Regis, Corfe Castle, Swanage and Shaftesbury.

Sponsors pay the patrols’ salaries with the county council picking up the management costs.

Grandmother Barbara, 64, who has been a lollipop lady for almost 30 years, said: "I love to get up and go, and I like meeting people. With this job I’m very much part of the community.”

Living in the village Barbara has found the hours that she works gives her time to look after her elderly mum and take care of her grandson.

She added: “I get a great satisfaction from my job. I am crossing children whose parents I help when they were little.

"Most people are friendly and even the drivers who I stop get a smile from me, an acknowledgement that I know they are there.”

Dorset County Council pays for 51 crossings in the county.

It had originally planned to scrap the roles but a major campaign by parents prompted a rethink.

Numbers of school crossing patrol officers are dwindling so the county council is looking for new recruits to help either as a permanent patrol or as a relief, who can help cover sickness or holidays.

Cabinet member for environment Cllr Peter Finney, said: “We are particularly looking for permanent patrols in Dorchester.

"This job often suits parents with school-age children or active retired people."

For more details about what the job involves and how to apply visit dorsetforyou.com/roadsafety/SCP