Bad-mannered drivers on one of Whitehaven’s busiest roads have forced a school’s lollipop man from his post.

Pupils at St Begh’s Catholic Junior School have been without “vital’’ cover for the past six months after their “fed up’’ lollipop man left following the treatment he received from Coach Road motorists.

Now a national company is offering to pay for a new person to fill the role for the next school year.

Catherine Mallard, headteacher of St Begh’s School, said: "It’s absolutely vital, it’s a really, really busy road outside school.

"Our last lollipop man just got fed up of the treatment he got from bad-mannered members of the public busy to get on with their journey."

Funding for the lollipop man or woman will come from Churchill Insurance, which has launched a road safety campaign alongside leading parent group PTA UK and with the support of Road Safety GB.

“It’s fantastic for the school as it pays for that role for a year. Someone still has to be recruited and they’re looking now,” Mrs Mallard said.

“We assume someone has nominated us and we’ve been lucky enough to win. The Highways agency are looking after it as we don’t employ them.”

The insurance company has pledged to ensure that up to 50 lollipop men or women are on school crossings throughout the UK for the new school year.

More than 6,000 primary schools applied to the scheme.

“We have been astounded by the amount of nominations received as part of our pledge to improve the safety of school crossings,” said Lucy Brooksbank, from Churchill.

“Lollipoppers are still the stalwarts of our communities - national treasures who bring fun and joy to the school run as well as playing a vital role in protecting our children.

“We are thrilled to be providing the parents and children of Whitehaven with a lollipop man or woman and ask any members of the local community interested in filling the role to put themselves forward with their local council.”

For more information on how to become a lollipop man or woman for your local school, visit www.Churchill.com/Lollipoppers or follow @ChurchillTheDog on Twitter.