THE fight for safer crossing for children walking to Blandford St Mary Primary School has hit a setback.

The results of two traffic surveys, held to establish the need for a lollipop lady on Bournemouth Road, have failed to meet council requirements for a crossing guard.

Road experts were baffled at the low number of pupils recorded in the first survey on July 7 - later explained by the fact that the school was closed for staff training.

But no better news was yielded by a second half-hour survey held just over a week later during the morning rush hour and within sight of the busy Tesco roundabout.

Only eight children crossed the road between 8.20am and 8.50pm, while 470 cars passed along the thoroughfare leading to Tesco, Homebase, and the Hall and Woodhouse premises, a spokesman for Dorset County Council said.

Head teacher, Judy Baker, said the low numbers of pupils crossing the road reinforced the school's safety concerns.

"In September, we're planning a special day where everybody who can possibly walk to school will do so, to help reinforce our point," said Mrs Baker.

A further survey will be carried out that month to establish the need for a permanent pedestrian crossing on the road.

Transport manager Tim Westwood said: "The town and parish councils now have the option to fund the cost of a temporary patrol themselves if they so wish."

Blandford's mayor, Cllr Sara Loch, said the town council would consider funding a school crossing patrol.

"It's something we would have to look at quite closely. I don't know how much it would cost to fund, but we would certainly consider it," said Cllr Loch.

The mayor added that Blandford Town Council would expect to work with Blandford St Mary Parish Council on any school crossing.

Cllr Mary Siweck, Blandford St Mary council's leader, said the proposal would be discussed at a meeting of all councillors in September.

Judy Baker, the head teacher of Blandford St Mary Primary School, said the low numbers of children crossing were a reflection of the danger in the road.