NEAR misses outside a Walney school have led to a petition to install a zebra crossing.

Year 5 teacher Mrs Banks from South Walney Junior School started the campaign after fearing for the safety of her pupils.

The location of zebra crossings are decided by the council and are based on a variety of factors.

After hearing of a number of ‘near misses’ outside the primary school, Barrow Mayor Helen Wall has promised to discuss the issue and improve safety.

“I am always in support of safer places for children and schools, but it isn’t quite as simple as they want a zebra crossing, let us get them one,” Cllr Wall said.

“Some roads are just not suitable for it, and I have started asking questions about this as to what is the best way forward.

“What I can say is hats off to the children for taking this step and looking for solutions.

“It is great to see the school is not just moaning but taking a constructive approach to the problem.”

The teacher recently reached out to footballer turned children’s campaigner Marcus Rashford to get their petition off the ground.

The petition entitled Crossings 4 Kidz states: “We want a zebra crossing directly outside our school gates to ensure that children can cross safely into school.

“Ideally, we believe that it should be law that all schools should have a zebra crossing directly outside of their school entrance.

“We have had a number of near misses and accidents outside school on a very busy road.”