Parents fear a child will be knocked down and killed by a car after several near misses outside a school.

A four-year-old boy was almost hit by a vehicle outside St Nicholas Priory Primary School on Great Yarmouth Market Place.

The child's father, Scott Laing, 40, is now calling for immediate safety measures to be put in place to protect youngsters.

The father of six says he fears the worst could happen unless action is taken to stop drivers using the area outside the school as a rat run.

He added: 'Something has got to give otherwise there is going to be a dead child.'

Mr Laing, who lives in Olive Road, Cobholm, believes the simple solution is to lock a blue swing gate outside the school which is in a pedestrian zone and can only used for loading between 4-10pm.

If it was locked during those times, Mr Laing believes it would stop drivers cutting across the car park from St Nicholas Road, near Sainsbury's, and on to Church Plain in order to avoid the one-way system.

He also asked fellow parents to take the extra five minute drive to pick their children up from the Market Place car park instead of clogging up St Nicholas Road by parking on the double yellow lines.

Other parents with children at the school agreed something needs to be done to end the danger.

A mother of three at the school, who did not want give her name, said she thinks railings should be put in to stop children being able to run in front of cars.

Borough council leader, Graham Plant, is taking the issue seriously.

He added: 'Regardless of whether the barrier is open or closed, everyone should follow the highways rules.

'Our civil enforcement officers regularly patrol the market place and pedestrian zone surrounding the car park including the area outside the school.

'Where vehicles are parked in contravention they take enforcement action by issuing penalty charge notices.

'The council is currently exploring options for locking and unlocking the gate which could improve safety in the area but also retain the smooth operation of the market.'

In a letter to parents St Nicholas Priory head teacher Maria Grimmer said the health and safety of all pupils, parents and staff was absolutely paramount.