LOLLIPOP people could be saved after at least half of Bromley's schools signed up to a cost-sharing deal with the council.

Bromley Council says 28 out of 48 schools have agreed "in principle" to the plan, which will see the council contribute £2,000 per school crossing patrol.

With each patrol costing in excess of £5,000, schools are being asked to come up with the rest.

Under the new arrangements the council will continue to train, equip and insure lollipop men and women while schools will fund salaries.

Parish CofE School in London Lane, Bromley, is one example of how schools are coming up with the money, after financial advice company Foresters stepped in to donate £2,500.

Foresters UK membership director Steve Dilworth said: “We believe this is a good cause.

“This is something which is at the very heart of safety for children and families, something we think is very important.”

The council had decided to stop funding school crossing patrols to save £233,000 a year. The service was due to be withdrawn in April.

Portfolio holder for the environment Councillor Colin Smith said: “We are extremely heartened and grateful that so many schools have agreed to join with us in partnership and help fund and preserve this service as best we can between us.

“We have listened very carefully over the months to lollipop people themselves, headteachers, parents and resident associations as well as views expressed at the borough's four public consultation meetings prior to Christmas and we are now in touching distance of a sustainable solution.

“I can also announce my intention to recommend diverting most of the limited discretionary funding made available to us from Transport for London’s annual grant, to further supplement the council's existing ‘in kind' contribution and reduce schools' financial exposure by up to £2,000 per patrol.”

The council says it continues to work closely with schools which have not yet signed up.

Among those is St George's CofE Primary School in Bickley, where parents are fighting to save the job of long-serving lollipop lady Heather Ross.

SCHOOLS ON BOARD

Alexandra Infant

Alexandra Junior

Biggin Hill Primary

Blenheim

Churchfields

Crofton Infant School

Crofton Junior School

Darrick Wood Junior

Farnborough

Green Street Green

Hayes Primary

Highfield Infant

Highfield Junior

Leesons Primary

Marian Vian

Midfield Primary

Oak Lodge

Parish Primary

Perry Hall

Poverest

Royston

Scotts Park

St Christopher's

St James

St Philomena’s RC Primary school

Stewart Fleming – The Pioneer Academy

Unicorn

Valley Primary