Worcester Park parents protesting against the long-term absence of a safe crossing for their children almost had their worst fears confirmed before school last Wednesday, when one was knocked over.

Fortunately, the five-year-old boy - a pupil of Cheam Common Infant School - escaped without injury after he had run out into Central Road and been hit by a car.

But one parent, who led the campaign on behalf of children at the infants and neighbouring Cheam Common Juniors, said this was the inevitable result of seven months without a safe crossing, and levelled her anger at Sutton Council.

Karen Bligh, who has a child at the junior school and compiled a 300-plus signature in July, said: "There's still no lollipop lady - there are still no road markings. All they've done is put an automatic switch on the lights, so they flash during school crossing hours."

Council officials say the only workable solution is to find a long-term replacement for the former lollipop lady, who stopped working in April due to illness and will not return to her post.

Road safety officer Roy Buchanan said Wednesday's accident made an immediate appointment all the more important.

He added: "We are interviewing someone on December 12 and hopefully we'll get them in place by the start of next term.

"This boy was only touched, but it's the potential danger that parents worry about and rightly so."

Infant school headteacher Evelyn Gregory said the boy had been left shocked but not physically harmed.

She said: "It is most unfortunate that the school's crossing patrol officer has been absent over a period of time. This situation caused a great deal of concern with the local community.

"Everyone will be relieved to hear that a new officer should be in post from January."

December 3, 2001 12:00