For around a month, pupils from Monkhouse Primary School and Marden High School have had to cross the Broadway by themselves after the previous crossing patrol officer left.

Now, concerned residents living nearby have called for an officer to be put back on the junction of Hartington Road and the Broadway before someone is seriously injured or killed.

A petition signed by 63 people has been handed in to North Tyneside Council calling for a replacement crossing patrol.

Vicki Gilbert, who organised the petition, said: "The guy who was at that spot was very well known and liked, but I don't know why he didn't stay on.

"A lot of the people who signed the petition don't have children at the school but did have concerns for the pupils.

"The Broadway is a road on which many people speed and often many are over the 30mph legal speed limit.

"You cannot penny pinch on our children's safety.

"It is essential that a supervised crossing is re-instated immediately to avoid incidents to our children."

A council spokesperson said: "The safety of our schoolchildren is of paramount importance.

"Following careful consideration of traffic control requirements at this location, we will soon be installing a permanent light operated pedestrian crossing.

"We have been unable to fill the current vacant position of the school crossing patrol officer at this location due to a shortage of applicants."