Parents and headteachers have spoken out against the loss of lollipop patrols outside schools.

Oxfordshire County Council has no plans to fund patrols in Kidlington, Banbury, Steeple Aston and Bloxham from the end of March.

Cherwell District Council has paid for them for the past three years, but does not expect to continue to support them in future.

The move has brought criticism from schools and parents who fear children will be put at risk.

Under threat: Lollipop lady Anne Parsley

Anne Parsley, who faces the axe as lollipop lady on a slip road running parallel to Oxford Road, Kidlington, said: "It is not just the quantity of cars and children who use this crossing, it's the way the drivers drive as well. There are plenty of cars pulling into the sweet shop car park opposite the crossing and children who go in there as well.

"Earlier today, we had a car coming down the slip road the wrong way.

He smiled and said sorry, but the drivers do that and the children don't look out for it."

Maria Sweeney, headteacher of St Thomas More Primary School in Kidlington, described the loss of Mrs Parsley's services as "very dangerous".

She said: "An accident is going to happen one day if someone is not there to protect the children.

"It is a very busy road with a very narrow pavement. A tremendous number of children from our school, Gosford Hill School, and West Kidlington School all use that crossing.

"It would be a very dangerous thing if the service is removed."

Paul Ducker, headteacher of St Mary's Primary School in Banbury, called for the service on the town's busy Warwick Road to remain.

He said: "We would be very, very upset if we lost our lollipop lady.

"The district council deserves a pat on the back for funding it for the past two years, but this is one of the busiest roads in Banbury and parents would be vociferously against the loss of our lollipop crossing."

The county council said it had proved difficult to recruit people for crossing patrols, and pelican crossings had been provided at some points.