A HEAD teacher fears parking problems at her school may get worse if a new lollipop man or woman is not found soon.

The vacancy for a crossing patrol person at Stanley St Andrew's Primary School is one of 17 in the county and nine in the city.

Elizabeth Stanley-Wainwright, head teacher at the school in Station Road, said the post had been empty since August, when the previous lollipop lady left to work at another school in the county.

She said she was keen to fill the post, so that parents felt safer allowing their children to walk to school, rather than driving them directly to the gates.

Mrs Stanley-Wainwright said: "We do have parking issues at the school as we are on the main road through the village.

"We have managed to get the landlady at the local pub to let parents park in the pub's car park, which has helped, but now we need someone to help the children cross the road from there. We have had a vacancy since the lollipop lady moved elsewhere in the county.

"I would ask anyone who is interested to get in touch."

The school caters for pupils aged five to 11 years old.

The crossing patrol person would have to work for about 40 minutes from 8.40am and then again at 3.30pm.

A spokesman for the city council said there were currently 34 crossing patrol wardens in the city and nine vacancies, four more than in 2007.

The city council spokesman said: "Vacancy rates are similar to those nationally.

"If anyone is interested in becoming a school crossing patrol warden then please call Derby 255474."

The vacancies in the city are at Swarkestone Road in Chellaston; Maple Drive, in Chellaston; Welwyn Avenue in Shelton Lock; Nightingale Road in Osmaston; Ladybank Road in Mickleover; Dale Road in Spondon; Church Street in Spondon; St Mark's Road in Chaddesden and Uttoxeter New Road, Derby.

In the county there are currently 17 vacancies, compared to 21 in 2007.

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire County Council said: "We are always looking to recruit more crossing patrol wardens."

Anyone interested is asked to call 01629 538062.

Crossing patrollers work for 40 minutes in the morning and 40 in the afternoon and get paid £5.92 per hour. They work the 39 weeks of term time but get full pay during summer holidays.