A company in west Wiltshire is so worried about children risking their lives on a busy road they have decided to patrol a safety crossing themselves.

While preparing for work outside Holt Primary School in March, lollipop patrol warden Patricia Hefnawy was hit by a car driven by a parent of one of the schoolchildren.

The 69-year-old suffered a broken leg and was unable to return to her twice-daily duties, but has been able to carry on as a teaching assistant.

No replacement was found until Norbeck Data Ltd, which has been based in the village for more than 10 years, volunteered the services of one of their workers.

After security checks and a training course, storeman Les Decarteret, 45, is hoping to pick up the lollipop in the next couple of weeks, to patrol the crossing in The Gravel, before and after school.

He said: "Some of the guys in the building saw the accident and came running down. We went outside and checked the condition of the lollipop lady, and I helped direct traffic. I think it's good that we are playing our part to ensure the safety of the children, and I'm looking forward to it. It is a dangerous road. A lot of traffic passes through the area and cars are parked all down the road."

Company director Andrew Beck, 52, of Norbeck Data Limited, said: "The safety of the children is important to us. We would kick ourselves if something happened, knowing that we may have been able to do something."

Holt Primary School has been campaigning for improved road safety, and earlier this year, parent Alan Fox, sent a 170-signature to Wiltshire County Council asking for them to take action.

Headteacher Deborah Kemish said: "We're absolutely bowled over by the support from Norbeck Data."

A spokesman for Wiltshire County Council, which trains lollipop men and women, said they had not yet received an application from the school but would welcome one.