Pupils and parents have said the decision to maintain a crossing at a school was ‘a relief’.

Brent Borough Council agreed a budget in February that featured cuts of £54million over the next two years – which included stopping the funding for school crossing patrols.

Since then the council has been working with primary schools to find a way to maintain the service once it stops paying for it.

So far 15 primary schools, including Mount Stewart Infants and Juniors School in Kenton, St Robert Southwell RC Primary in Kingsbury, and Roe Green Infant School in Kingsbury have agreed to fund their own crossing patrols.

At Mount Stewart Junior School, eight pupils have taken on the title of Junior Road Safety Officers and patrol the road after school to prevent parents from parking illegally and ensure fellow pupils are crossing the road safely.

The officers said they were very pleased their lollipop lady could stay, adding that road safety is very important for children to learn at an early age.

A group of parents outside the school said: "We have all said it's a bit of a relief really, because we'd never be able to let our children walk home alone without someone helping them cross the road."

However many schools in Brent are still yet to sign up to the scheme.

One lollipop lady, who wished not to be named, said: “I think it is very dangerous, parents can sometimes behave very badly when the school’s finish and tensions are high – so it is important that there is someone there looking out for the students.

“School should be putting their money into education, but now some of them have to fund our salaries and others have to run the service themselves.”

Chris Whyte, operational director of community services at Brent Council, said: "Ensuring children get to and from school safely is a responsibility for all of us but particularly for schools, parents and motorists.

“This is why it is so pleasing that so many schools have already agreed to work in partnership with us to continue providing crossing patrols where they are most needed.

“I would like to thank these schools for working so closely with us.”