LOLLIPOP men and women are urgently needed to help pupils across the road in Weymouth and Portland.

Dorset County Council wants them to join its relief team to cover shortages at 18 spots near schools in the borough.

The ‘flying squad’ of lollipop men and women fill in when the normal officers are off sick or on holiday.

Lollipop man Keith Young, 75, from Weymouth, urged people to come forward as he retired from the job after more than 10 years.

He said: “I love being a peripatetic lollipop person.

“I have met a lot of youngsters and parents over the years and have been all over the county, from Poole to Sherborne, and from Shaftesbury to Portland.

“I don’t mind getting a call at 7.30am to be in Bridport at 8.10. It’s a great way to see Dorset. If I’m working in Bridport, I can drive home along the coast road and at Swanage the post looks out over the sea to Old Harry Rocks.”

He added: “To anyone considering becoming a relief patrol, I’d say, ‘try it, you’ll love it’.

“It’s not hard to do and even in the winter you only have to do it for 45 minutes.

“You just need to have a sense of humour, to be pleasant to people and want to get out of bed in the morning.

“It makes you feel like you’re doing something worthwhile.”

Two or three people are urgently needed.

The plea comes as one or two near retirement age. The post pays £6.21 an hour with travelling allowance.

The role would suit semi-retired people, those wanting to combine part-time jobs or anyone who is community minded.

Council senior road safety officer Rob Camp said: “I have worked with Keith for almost 10 years and I cannot speak more highly of his efforts over this time.”

Call Mr Camp on 01305 224548 to apply to become a relief school crossing patrol officer.