GOOD SIGN: Grace Murkett, four, and her brother Giles, with the sign warning of toads on the road at Gillamoor Picture: Paul Baker

Heard the one about the toad wanting to cross the road?

If not, then you soon will. A science teacher from Farndale is urging motorists to look out for the creatures as they make their way across the tarmac to their breeding grounds.

"Most people do not expect to see toads on the road," said Sally Fitton, who teaches at Woodleigh School, Langton, near Malton.

"We live on the edge of the National Park so many tourists are coming here to see things like toads. I just hope they will take notice of warning signs we have put up and look out for them on the roads.

"I do not think they are listed as a threatened species but I certainly notice less and less of them around," Mrs Fitton added.

The animals are more likely to be moving around at night and walk rather than hop like frogs.

Roads that are particularly popular with toads are the Keldholme to Amotherby road, Kirkbymoorside to Farndale road, especially on Gillamoor Bank, and north of the A170 to Appleton-le-Moors.

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