A ZEBRA from Longleat, near Warminster, is to become a poster star. Debra the Zebra is to become the face of a campaign aimed at recruiting more lollipop men and women.

Alison Lawrence of Wiltshire County Council said: "We wanted to create a novel and entertaining way to attract more people to perform a vital role that is both rewarding and important to the safety of schoolchildren.

The aim of the campaign is to attract enthusiastic job applicants and to keep the number of vacancies as low as possible.

Debra, who is featured with lollipop lady Leanne Smith, of Calne, is part of a 12-strong herd of Grants zebras that live alongside a group of giraffes in a 60-acre reserve at Longleat.

Ian Turner, deputy head warden at the safari park, said: "We were surprised when the council first approached us, but were delighted to contribute in some way to improving road safety for young people."