Parents have been urged to help save under threat lollipop patrols – by taking photographs of bad driving and busy roads to demonstrate why they should be spared the axe.

Thirty-eight patrols out of the county's 96 are under threat through Norfolk County Council proposals to cut funding by about £150,000 a year.

And that prompted a plea from leaders at Norwich City Council for parents to gather evidence to present to the county council in support of the road crossing patrols.

Bert Bremner, the city council's cabinet member for environment and sustainable development and a Labour county councillor, said: 'Petitions have an impact, but it would also help for all parents to give their opinion on the county council survey and to gather evidence –including photographs – of what the crossing is like, vehicles jumping red lights etc. The parents need to get involved.'

He said it was also important to put pressure on Norfolk's MPs for a fairer financial settlement for the county, to prevent cuts having to be made.

A spokeswoman for Norfolk County Council said of the call for parents to take photographs: 'If it's a case of someone witnessing dangerous driving it's probably a matter for the police and should be reported immediately, rather than through the consultation.

'If people do take photos of other evidence to support crossing patrols, we'd suggest people send them to their local councillor as ultimately they will be the ones who will vote on the crossing patrols decision.'

At Magdalen Gates Primary School, in Bull Close Road, Norwich, parents have been conducting their own traffic surveys.

They want to convince the council that Mandy Thain, who has been keeping children cross Spencer Street safely for 20 years should stay.

Deputy headteacher Hannah Collison said: 'What Mandy does is absolutely vital. People use that road as a cut-through.

'The council says there's not been many accidents, but that's probably because Mandy is there.'

Parents and grandparents agreed. Henry Caswell, from Wroxham, said: 'I think she's absolutely brilliant'.

• Are you fighting to save a road crossing patrol where you live? Call Dan Grimmer on 01603 772375 or email dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk