COUNCILS that scrap lollipop wardens should get less government money, says MP Richard Drax.

Speaking in a debate in Westminster Hall, Mr Drax for South Dorset, directly attacked Dorset County Council’s proposals to save £200,000 by pushing responsibility for more than 60 school crossing patrols onto schools, parish councils and volunteers.

He called on the government to only hand out transport grants to authorities that kept lollipop wardens.

Mr Drax said: “I believe there should be a statutory duty for local authorities to provide this excellent service. In recent years this country has managed to reduce road casualties. It would be nothing less than a tragedy if this reduction were to be reversed.”

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, called the debate with transport minister Norman Baker MP to highlight worries about an increase in deaths on the roads.

“The cut is small in relation to the county council's budget; it achieves nothing and destroys a lot,” she said.

“If we do not protect such vital services, we put children at greater risk, and this is totally unacceptable.”