A BID to scrap plans to axe 55 school crossing patrols has been blocked.

Lib Dem, Labour, UKIP and Green councillors joined forces at a full council meeting yesterday to call on transport supremo Rodney Bass to shelve a consultation on removing funding for schools where alternative crossings are available.

The call followed a campaign by the Gazette, with sister paper the Echo, which saw nearly 2,000 parents and residents call for the lollipop men and women to be retained.

The debate took place shortly after the councillors voted to add £26,750 to the cost of the Conservative-led administration by adding two new deputy cabinet members.

For a special report, see Wednesday's paper