A Halstead lollipop lady claims lives will be lost if plans go ahead to axe 55 crossing patrols across the county.

Essex County Council wants schools to stump up £5,860 to pay for patrols where there are zebra crossings or traffic lights nearby.

If they cannot find the cash, the patrols could be stopped.

The council has now written to 55 schools affected, including Holy Trinity Primary School in Halstead, and has launched an online consultation.

Joan Warner, who has been lollipop lady in Trinity Street for about a year, earning little more than £2,000 a year, believes the proposals will put children’s lives at risk.

See the Gazette for the full story and reaction