A top business boss has stepped into pay the wages of a lollipop lady for another year so she can keep getting children to school safely after her job was set to be axed.

Lollipop lady Claire Sworder has been helping children cross the road outside Rykneld Primary School, in Main Street, Branston, for four years, but last year the 41-year-old's post was controversially axed by Staffordshire County Council to say costs.

The news sparked anger among parents of hundreds of children who popular Mrs Sworder helped get to and from school each day and a petition was set up to save her, which hundreds signed.

It led to one parent approaching her former employer, Michael Price, to see if he could help fund the costs to allow the lollipop lady to remain at her crossing.

Mr Price, distribution centre manager on behalf of Wincanton B&Q at Burton, which delivers all of B&Q's kitchen, bedroom and bathroom deliveries across the UK, gladly accepted and paid her salary of £4,100 a year starting during the last school year, and is now doing the same this year.

Michael Price Distribution Centre Manager on behalf of Wincanton B&Q has been providing sponsorship for the Rykneld School Crossing Patrol (lollipop lady) for the last 2 years.
Pictured is: Crossing Patrol - Claire Sworder
Michael Price - Distribution Centre Manager
Wincanton for B&Q
Claire Sworder with Michael Price, distribution centre manager at Wincanton for B&Q

He said: "It was around September last year we were approached by parents as the council pulled the plugs on the lollipop lady both at Paget High School and Rykneld Primary School.

"I heard about it after a parent approached me and her children go to Rykneld Primary School and used to work at Wincanton.

"The head teacher had parents coming in to see if they could donate so I decided to pay the salary of the lollipop lady in 2017 and this next school year. B&Q is always keen to help. We recently supplied Gresley Scout Hut and the YMCA. We have 500 people on site so have lots of connections."

The Burton Mail reported in June 2016 that Rykneld Primary School head teacher Gary Staddon called for the council to review the role before making a decision.

He said the school had huge concerns about losing the support and expertise of a school crossing patrol officer, adding that not only was the space for pedestrians very limited in the area, but the junction was incredibly busy and on a dangerous bend. He also added that the growing number of children attending the school was a concern.

Michael Price Distribution Centre Manager on behalf of Wincanton B&Q has been providing sponsorship for the Rykneld School Crossing Patrol (lollipop lady) for the last 2 years.
Pictured is: Crossing Patrol - Claire Sworder
Pictured is lollipop lady Claire Sworder

Mr Staddon has now told the Burton Mail that he is "delighted" that Mr Price stepped forward to ensure Claire remains.

He said: "When we found out the county council was cutting this provision we were unhappy and expressed that and did all we could.

"There is no way with it being such a dangerous crossing that we would have continued without a lollipop lady so we were going to try to fund it from our budget but a school budget is quite small so when Mr Price came forward we were delighted. It also allowed us to spend our budget on the school and the children which is fantastic.

Michael Price Distribution Centre Manager on behalf of Wincanton B&Q has been providing sponsorship for the Rykneld School Crossing Patrol (lollipop lady) for the last 2 years.
Pictured is: Crossing Patrol - Claire Sworder
Michael Price - Distribution Centre Manager
Wincanton for B&Q
Claire Sworder in action

"The road is very dangerous as there is a blind bend and cars are going round it very fast and there have been a few near-misses."

Mrs Sworder said: "I was a bit shocked that the council wanted to cut the crossing because it is quite a dangerous crossing and there have been a few near-misses.

"I was over the moon when Michael offered to keep the crossing open. I am a single mother and this job is very important to me. One of my children has just left Rykneld. The job would fit around them. The parents were overjoyed. They would worry it wouldn't be safe for the children."

The authority confirmed that out of 250 school crossing sites, 30 would be axed.
Since 2010 the council has not replaced patrols where there is already a measure in place, such as a pelican crossing.

Claire Sworder has had her salary paid for another year

Mark Deaville, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport has said that with the limited budget available it was important school crossing patrols were placed where they are needed most.

He said that in cases where schools and communities still want to keep and fund their own crossing patrol, then the authority would be happy to support this.

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