The war on the motorist

Lollipop ladies have a new weapon against drivers who fail to stop at school crossings - secret cameras hidden in their sticks. The cameras, installed in a black strip on the pole, film for 19 seconds when the stop sign is raised vertically.

Derek Prodger, the council's cabinet member-for transport, said: 'It's unbelievable that we have to take this action. The lives of children are at risk from increasing numbers of selfish drivers who are willing to put lives at risk by refusing to stop for 30 seconds at a school crossing.