Where youngsters would once dash across busy roads on their way home from school, crossing patrols throughout south-west Hertfordshire have made their journeys much safer.

There are now 180 patrol sites across the county, as part of a project by the county council road safety unit to improve conditions outside primary schools.

With just 14 sites unattended, the council is now striving to ensure every school has its own patrol, to increase safety for thousands of pupils walking to and from lessons.

One school to benefit from the scheme is Holywell Primary, in Tolpits Lane, Watford.

Bina Kotecha, 38, from Gade Avenue, has helped children, and their parents, cross the busy road since September 2006.

Mrs Kotecha, a mother of two, said: "I love it - the people, the kids. Everybody is lovely here. The people are really nice and very helpful.

"Some drivers don't want to stop, even though it's a red light and it's quite obvious because I'm holding a stop pole as well.

"Some of the parents are still trying to cross in the middle of the road but I'm here to help parents out."

Wendy Moutt, 39, from Chenies Way, has three children at the school - Megan, nine, Harvey, eight, and five-year-old Georgina.

She said: "It's brilliant. Before the patrol it was really dangerous. As a parent crossing the road, you've got to watch them. Having the crossing patrol makes it a lot safer."

Tammy Maginley, 28, from Croxley View, has two children - Joanna, six, and Anthony, four.

"The road was really bad," said Ms Maginley, a Holywell Primary School governor.

"Because the estate has lots of schools, traffic around here is really busy, all the time. You're just fighting to get kids safely across. Some days it's a real nightmare.

"Now the patrol has slowed traffic down a lot."

Mum-of-two Michelle Bolton, whose daughter Molly-Mae, five, goes to Holywell, said the crossing was helping youngsters learn about road safety.

Michelle, 37, of Croxley View, said: "We've got a brilliant lady to help us cross the road. It makes them obey the rules. I don't think we could be without her."

Holywell headteacher Mahrukh Mistry added: "We regard road safety to be paramount as far as children are concerned. We have worked very hard with the county council to have this crossing up and running. We hope when older children come to school on their own they use it and will be safe."

n For more information, telephone Heather Hill on 01992 556815 or alternatively email heather.hill@hertscc.gov.uk.