CAMPAIGNING parents are celebrating after winning a two-and-a-half year battle to get improved safety outside a school.

Lead campaigner Alfred Papworth, 74, of Ashdown Crescent, Hadleigh, collected a 480-strong petition calling for a crossing on Church Road, outside Hadleigh Junior School.

Many parents also aired fears a child would be killed if a crossing wasn't installed.

The concerns launched an Essex County Council probe which has now ended with bosses writing to Mr Papworth.

They informed him electronic signs, warning cars to slow down, will be installed in Church Road and said they would pay to train a lollipop person.

Mr Papworth, whose ten-year-old grandson James attends the school, said: "I'm over the moon.

"This week it was as bad as I have ever seen it, with cars parked on each side of the street and traffic trying to get through.

"I had to stop my car in the road so that children could get across.

"We are not getting a pedestrian crossing, but this is just as good.

"I want to thank all those who helped and supported us, including Nick McCullagh the highways manager at the council."

Headteacher Katharine Mansfield paid tribute to the campaign.

She said: "The safety of our children was at the forefront of this campaign and will allow the children to arrive and leave school more safely.

"This is my primary concern and I would like to thank Mr Papworth and all the parents, grandparents and members of the local community who made this possible.

"It has been a long time coming, but I am delighted that the council finally agreed."

Parent Shirley Briars, a school governor, said: "I am extremely pleased that our children will now be considerably safer crossing this road.

"Although it has taken a long time to achieve, it will be well worth it. I'm sure all parents will be reassured by this new patrol."

Parent Kim Golding, 39, whose ten-year-old son Devon attends the school, summed up the news.

She said: "It is great that they are going to do something at last and that we didn't have to wait for a child to be killed."