Essex County Council's old lollipop signs could help save the lives of scores of African children killed in car crashes every year.

The outdated school crossing patrol sticks are to be sent to schools built along busy main roads in the Gambia in West Africa.

The authority was asked to donate its old signs by charity the Kingfisher Trust.

The organisation provides children across the world with basic school equipment and hopes the donation will dramatically reduce the number of road accidents outside African schools.

A spokesman for the charity said she had personally seen youngsters knocked down.

She added: "Some schools are used three times a day so it's like having three schools in one building.

"The amount of children per day, from one school alone, is more than 2,000 between the ages of three and 16.

"I am hoping that by introducing the lollipop sticks we can save some lives and stop some of these children from becoming disabled in the future."

The county council is replacing all its signs following a European ruling that symbols should be used instead of words.

The old sticks state "Stop - Children" but won't pose any problems because the country's language is English.

Trials have already proved the project to be a success and it's hoped the signs can be used by around 200 schools.

Councillor Ray Howard, chairman of the council's highways and transportation committee, said: "I am delighted that we are able to assist in this undertaking.

"There is no more worthy cause than protecting children and it is very gratifying that we have the opportunity to help in this way, especially considering the number of children who will benefit.

"I wish the scheme much success and I am sure it will go a long way towards improving safety for children on their way to and from school."

Lollipop help - Councillor Howard with Lorna Robinson, Lesley Share and Vicky Presland

Picture: SEANA HUGHES

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.