A campaigning dad has launched a campaign for a zebra crossing outside a busy Thundersley school because he fears a child could be killed.

Mark Farrell, whose 11-year-old daughter, Nicole, attends King John School in Shipwrights Drive, has demanded action to get children safely across the road after narrowly avoiding hitting a child himself.

He said: "This is a big school which has undergone a lot of development in recent years.

"It is a very busy road with parking down one side. Kids run between parked cars to cross the road. With the coaches that bring children in as well, it is utter chaos.

"There are teachers outside trying to assist. They are not doing the job of a lollipop lady, but they try to monitor the situation."

Mr Farrell, who admits he finds it difficult to negotiate the road safely, said: "I nearly knocked down a child recently. I can't believe there is no crossing outside such a busy school. It is astounding and I believe it is just a matter of time before a child gets hurt or killed.

A petition is about to be launched and Mr Farrell said he would be lobbying Castle Point MP Bob Spink.

But county and borough councillor Ray Howard, a member of the south Essex highways panel, said the school should do more to help the situation.

He said: "This is the first I have heard about the need for a crossing there.

"There is a problem outside every school today. King John has had a lot of extensions to the school, but there is not sufficient parking for staff, therefore a large percentage of staff park in Shipwrights Drive on one side, which causes serious obstruction on a very busy highway.

"I would be delighted to attend a meeting about this and with a new budget starting in April, this is the time to put in a request. In my view, I do think King John should start helping themselves by asking staff not to park on the road."

Headteacher, Margaret Wilson disagreed. She said: "I can say categorically that it is not teachers parking there. We have not lost any parking spaces as a result of any remodelling of our buildings."

Miss Wilson, who said she was at the end of her tether over the problem, added: "We have become increasingly concerned and we need action before a child is injured badly trying to cross this rat run.