FIRMS and organisations have stepped in to save lollipop patrols axed in Dorset.

Five sites lost their funding when Dorset County Council stopped financing school crossing patrols at zebra and puffin crossings, in line with national criteria.

Sponsors from the community have now been found.

Schools and crossing patrol staff met the sponsors for the first time at Wool First School to celebrate the new arrangement.

Four aggregate companies, whose huge lorries regularly pass Bere Regis First School, have teamed up to sponsor the patrol there.

Bere Regis is one of five first and primary schools across the county to have school crossing patrols sponsored by the local community.

Swanage Town Council had been sponsoring a patrol in the town since 2006 and is continuing under the new arrangements.

Shaftesbury Town Council, Valley Taxis and Zog Brownfields Ventures Ltd are sponsoring crossings at Shaftesbury Primary School and Corfe Castle and Wool First Schools.

Sponsors pay the patrols’ salaries – usually £2,000-£3,000 a year – with the council picking up the management costs.

County councillor for Egdon Heath Alex Brenton helped recruit the Purbeck sponsors.

She said: “We have found that by Dorset County Council maintaining responsibility for the patrols’ management and any future redundancy costs, sponsors are coming forward.”

Andrews Plant is one of the aggregate companies sponsoring Bere Regis First School.

Peter Andrews from the firm said: “We use the road by the school all the time so it’s only right that we should make the kids’ safety top priority.”

Lee Thompson of aggregate company Raymond Brown said: “It’s a community issue that we are delighted to support.”

Barbara Battrick has been helping children at Wool First School cross the road safely for 21 years.

Pupils there were delighted that she was going to stay.

Wool First School chairman of governors Andrew Wilson said: “This sponsorship arrangement gives a strong message that communities can and should help themselves.”

County council cabinet member for highways Peter Finney said: “The financial situation has meant we have had to make difficult decisions. Reducing the number of school crossing patrols has been one of the most painful. I am absolutely delighted that these communities have worked together to keep their crossing patrols.”

The council still fully funds 51 crossing patrols across the county, which meet national criteria.

Vacancies are currently available in Dorchester. Charminster and Verwood.

For more information, ring Rob Camp on 01305 224548.