Children in North Somerset schools have been learning about the importance of road safety, with one primary school appealing for help to make the highways safer for them.

Pupils at a Claverham primary school are looking for a new lollipop lady or man to help them cross the road to class in safety.

Court-de-Wyck Primary School, which has 110 pupils, is located on Bishop's Road – a busy route between Cleeve and Yatton.

The road is used as a cut through by drivers from the A370 to both villages and Clevedon and is also a main bus route.

The school has been without a lollipop lady since the previous member of staff left a year ago to take up a new career.

Although a walking bus operates five mornings a week to bring about a dozen children from Cleeve to class, the students still have to cross the busy road as there is no pavement on the school side.

Parents bringing their children to school by car use the car park at Claverham Village Hall which is opposite, but they too have to cross the road.

Head teacher Nick Riddiough said: "Bishop's Road is a busy road and it is a bus route.

"As the school sits on a blind bend, it prohibits us from having a permanent crossing installed.

"We have been working hard to teach the children road safety skills to make sure they know how to cross the road safely.

"We actively encourage the children to use sustainable forms of transport to get to school and are keen for them to walk to class.

"So it would be wonderful if we could find someone to take on the crossing patrol."

North Somerset Council, which employs crossing patrol staff at its 50 schools across the district, has 19 vacancies for lollipop ladies or men.

Council school access officer Jon Astridge said: "We are always very keen to hear from people who are interested in becoming crossing patrol staff.

"It is not just North Somerset which is struggling to recruit people, it seems to be a country-wide problem.

"Being a member of crossing patrol staff is a very important role within the community."

Anyone interested in becoming a member of crossing patrol staff needs to be available for an hour a day.

Pay is £6.28 an hour and all training, uniform and equipment is provided.

The post can be job shared if requested.

Children at a Nailsea pre-school are also concerned about traffic on their way to school, but at least they will now be clearly seen while out and about in the town.

The Police Community Trust has funded 24 high-visibility vests for pupils and five for staff at Grove Pre-School to use while out on trips.

The jackets were handed over by Nailsea beat officer PC Adam Clark.

Pre school assistant Becky Hardwell said: "We go out with the children on a daily basis and sometimes visit the local library, parks and lake.

"The jackets will make sure the children and seen and safe while enjoying their trips around the town."

Students at the pre school, which is based at Grove Sports Centre, used the jackets for the first time this week while taking part in activities as part of their road safety week.

Anyone interested in becoming a crossing patrol person should contact Mr Astridge at North Somerset Council on 01934 888888.