Ref. 14583THE chairman of governors at a Trowbridge primary school said a serious accident is waiting to happen unless a crossing is installed for pupils and parents.

Campaigners for the crossing outside Newtown Primary School handed in a 400-name petition to Wiltshire County Council.

A school crossing patroller is on duty before and after school but does not cover breakfast groups or after-school clubs.

Jaye Milsom, 10, was thrown onto the bonnet of the car outside the school gates in December as she was leaving an after-school pantomime club. She was lucky to escape with cuts and bruises.

Chairman of Newtown school governors Nicky Phillips said: "We have more and more after-school clubs now and with nursery and breakfast clubs there are hundreds of children who need to cross the road out of school hours when there is no crossing patrol.

"It is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident."

Trowbridge county councillor Jeff Osborn received the petition on behalf of the council.

He believes a new policy to implement 20mph zones around Wiltshire schools could help their cause.

"I am reasonably optimistic that we will get the crossing at Newtown," he said.

"I am encouraged by the level of support there in the community for this but there is no magic wand and it may take six months to get it."

County council spokesman Adam Butcher said the petition would be considered at the Regulatory Committee on February 4.