PARENTS have thrown their support behind a campaign by a blind mother-of-three for a pedestrian crossing.

Mums and dads joined teachers in the main hall at Blandford St Mary Primary School to discuss how best to support Emelye Pursuer.

Mrs Purser, 34, is fighting for a permanent crossing on Bournemouth Road after being knocked down there while pushing her baby son just before Christmas in 2006.

But 18 months later, there is still no pedestrian crossing, and Mrs Purser has enlisted the support of her children's primary school.

Head teacher Judy Baker told parents that Mrs Purser's campaign affected not only the school but the whole of Blandford St Mary.

"The issue is compounded by having a major supermarket, a major DIY store and commercial buildings on one side of the Bournemouth Road and an ever growing community on the other," said Mrs Baker.

The school's "healthy" and "walk to school" weeks were undermined by the absence of a crossing, added the head teacher.

"Recently we had cycle training at school and I would dearly love our older children to be able to cycle to school. This cannot happen while crossing the road is so perilous," said Mrs Baker.

A lollipop crossing guard would only provide a solution to the problem for 20 minutes every day, said Mrs Baker, adding that in her opinion a permanent pedestrian crossing was "essential".

Blandford St Mary Parish Council has put its support for Mrs Purser's campaign in writing, firing off a letter to County Hall.

"We have written to Dorset County Council asking what can be done to hurry things along. We will be expecting a reply," said council leader Mary Siweck.

An emergency meeting of the council would be called if the council put up a spokesman to address it during its summer recess, said Cllr Siweck.