Parents, staff and governors at a Dorchester school are appealing for a new crossing patrol to ensure the safety of their pupils.

Damers First School relocated to Poundbury in April last year, but parents are becoming increasingly concerned about the safety of the surrounding roads, in particular Peverell Avenue East.

Funding has been in place for a crossing patrol at the school for several months and the post has been advertised by Dorset County Council but still remains vacant.

Peverell Avenue East is said to be particularly busy in the mornings with school traffic, work traffic and also large vehicles and deliveries to nearby construction sites.

Sophie Duke, who is a parent governor at the school, said: “The school have encouraged getting children to walk, cycle or scoot to school, which has been really successful. But this also means that there are a lot of children crossing the road to get to the school.

The school is on Liscombe Close but the busiest road is Peverell Avenue East.

“With some parents having to drive their children to school and people in the area leaving to go to work the road can get very busy.

“The council dropped the kerb so there is one main crossing area that the children are using but we really do need a crossing patrol person.

“The patrol that we had at the old site on Bridport Road is still needed there for pupils who are going to Dorchester Middle School.

“Parents are now getting increasingly concerned for their children’s safety. Our children at the school are only young so they do have adults with them but even they are saying crossing Peverell Avenue East can get ‘a bit hairy’.

“Dorset County Council have been a fantastic support, we just need someone to come forward for this job. There must be someone who has the spare time that can help.”

If you are interested, or know anyone who may be, contact the road safety team at Dorset County Council on 07747180741

for further details and an application form, or apply online at dorsetforyou.com/roadsafety/schoolcrossingpatrols