DAILY Echo readers are beginning to lick the lollipop crisis facing schools across the South.

Our appeal for more people to act as crossing patrols has prompted dozens of inquiries to education offices in South-ampton and Hampshire.

The Lolly Alert campaign is aimed at filling a chronic shortage of lollipop men and women which has left many school crossings unmanned.

We are also featuring crossing patrols nominated by our readers as the best in the South.

Christina Billows, of Sholing Infant School, has been nominated in an anonymous letter to the Echo. The mum-of-three has been working at Merry Oak Road for around 14 months. She said: "I love the job. I wish I had started doing it years ago. It's so rewarding and it's very sociable seeing the children and parents every day."

Christina, 43, outlined the qualities she sees as essential for any good lollipop man or woman.

"You have got to be reliable and know how to talk to people. If you show respect you get respect back."

Backing Lolly Alert, she added: "Children's lives are at risk. You may not think it's an important job but children really rely on you to get them across the road safely."

Susanne Ottens, headteacher at Sholing Infant School, said: "She is very cheerful and always willing to help. I can only sing her praises, and the children like her. She makes sure they are safe."

Mrs Ottens urged more readers to come forward and apply to be crossing patrols. She said: "I know that the situation in Southampton is desperate. The general public is not aware of how bad the problem is.

"This campaign is very important. We have to make people aware of the problems that schools face.

Traffic is on the increase and we need to ensure children's safety."

If you would like us to feature your favourite lollipop man or woman write to us at News-desk, Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX.

If you are interested in becoming a crossing patrol in Southampton, call 01703 833305. For Hampshire, call Carol Mabbett on 01329 316242.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.