FRIENDLY faces to help get York's schoolchildren safely across busy roads are being sought by City of York Council.

More school crossing patrols, or lollipop men and women, are needed to make up another five or six patrols in the York area.

The problem was raised in February, when York MP Hugh Bayley pushed for Government action to tackle a shortage of school lollipop men and women, claiming that ploughing extra cash into recruitment could prove cheaper than installing pedestrian crossings outside schools at a cost of thousands of pounds.

Previously, the "bad manners" of drivers who put lives at risk were thought to have deterred people from applying.

One York lollipop lady who has braved the elements to get children to and from school safely for 30 years is Joyce Donkin.

Staff and children at Fishergate Primary School were so impressed by her commitment that they held a special assembly to thank her.

Assistant head teacher Sarah Dixon said: "In the last 30 years, Joyce has hardly missed a day. Without her, children couldn't get to school safely.

"She's a friendly face every morning to greet parents and we couldn't cope without her."

Joyce, 57, said she enjoyed her job. "It's fitted in with my children because they all went to Fishergate and I fully intended to do something else when they left, but I never have," she said.

"I like being outside and you meet the children, and children can be funny, they say some funny things sometimes.

"There used to be cold winters, but I've stood out for so long I don't notice. I don't get my thicker things out until the last minute now; I have to be really cold."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said there were currently 31 school crossing patrols in the York area.

She said: "We're planning to put recruitment banners outside the schools where we need new patrols to try to encourage people to apply.

"It's a unique job, which can fit in with other responsibilities as the hours are generally 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm.

"If anyone would like more information about the opportunities available, they should contact the council's human resources department."

Updated: 11:11 Saturday, December 04, 2004