VILLAGE butcher Mark Douse is leading a fight to get a path used by scores of schoolchildren improved before there is a tragedy.

Mr Douse has the backing of headteachers, parents and police for his battle to have a pavement that links Market Lavington with West Lavington repaired.

But Wiltshire Council highways boss Philip Whitehead has said it is not a top priority and points out that a number of village primary schools in the county have no pavements nearby.

Mr Douse, who lives in Market Lavington, and has two young children who attend Dauntsey Academy Primary School in West Lavington, said: "The path has become very narrow on a section near an embankment because mud and plants have fallen down.

"It is very dangerous because it is on a section of hill where the speed limit is 40mph but many people go much faster. I know people often talk about having to wait for a death or serious accident to happen before anything is done but in this case we really do think that might happen if nothing is done."

He also pointed out that part of the kerb has been damaged and there is nothing to stop cars or lorries mounting the pavement.

Dauntsey Academy head Philippa Winbolt said: "We are very pleased Mr Douse has taken up this campaign. The walkway is used by a lot of children. We often have to walk a class of about 30 children along it to go to Lavington School for sporting or other events. It can feel quite dangerous as cars do not stick to the speed limit and the path is in a bad state of repair."

The damaged section of pavement is close to Lavington School and headteacher Sarah Lowkis is also concerned. She said: "Many of our young people walk along the footpath between DAPS and Lavington School twice a day.

"The footpath is in poor condition and has become severely reduced in width due to the growth of vegetation across it. This means that pupils may be forced to step into the road at busy times to let others pass.

"We fully support Mr Douse, and those parents behind him, in his campaign to cut back the vegetation to restore the footpath. We do not want any child to be put at risk whilst moving between the two sections of the village, their safety is of paramount importance to us."

Sergeant Vincent Logue of Devizes police is also worried about speeding cars and the danger to children. He said: "I have recently conducted speed checks at this location due to my concerns about the safety of children using this section of the footpath and have issued warnings and a fixed penalty notice to speeding drivers. My concern is not only due to the very uneven surface which could cause a child to fall into traffic, but also due to the extremely low kerb which offers no protection in the event of a vehicle veering towards the path.

"This footpath is used twice a day by children going to and from Dauntsey Academy Primary School and Lavington School and there is no other viable route for them to take."

Mr Douse and other worried parents have written to Wiltshire councillor Philip Whitehead who is cabinet member for highways, asking for action to be taken. But this week he said: "There is a section that needs to be cleared back, but at the moment this is not a top priority."

In a letter to Mr Douse he told him to go to the council website to report the issues.