LOCAL MP Jeremy Browne spent a day as a lollypop man in Taunton to highlight the importance of road safety.

Mr Browne joined the lollipop ladies Mandy Sutton and Angela Edwards outside North Town primary school at the start of the school day and afterwards spoke with them about the shortage of people putting themselves forward for the job.

He said: "Lollipop ladies - or school crossing patrol officers, as they are now called formally - do a great job keeping local children safe.

"There is a real shortage of people putting themselves forward for the job in Taunton Deane. Mandy and Angela are the only lollipop ladies in Taunton, although the schools in Wellington are better covered.

"It is a tricky job to fit in with other commitments because it only requires half-an-hour in the morning and half-an-hour in the afternoon. But being a lollypop lady - or lollypop man - is a great way to contribute to the local community.

Mr Browne went on to talk about the growing concern for childhood obesity.

He said: "We do need to encourage pupils to walk or cycle to school, but that means reassuring parents that their children will be safe.

"Another way that parents can help is by volunteering to take cycle awareness training courses. There are not enough county council officers to do all of the training, so parents getting involved will increase the numbers of children who are taught how to cycle safely around the streets of Taunton Deane."