A special recruitment day is being held in Exeter to try to tackle a shortage of lollipop men and women in the city.

Devon County Council is hoping to encourage more people to become school crossing patrols by offering to top up the job's hours with other positions as cleaners, caretakers and catering assistants.

The patrols play a key part in ensuring the safety of thousands of pupils who journey to and from school every day.

The event will take place at Exeter's Guildhall Shopping Centre on 20 December.

"Reduce congestion"

"Being a school crossing patroller is a really worthwhile job and is a great way of serving the local community," said Andrew Eagles, county officer for school crossing patrols.

"By teaming up with other job opportunities, we can offer anything up to 30 hours per week.

"And by encouraging more children to feel safe in walking to school we also hope to reduce congestion and problems outside schools," he said.

Yasmin Perryman from Barnstaple, who has been a lollipop lady for more than 20 years, will be at Friday's event to share her enthusiasm for the job.

"It's ideal for people with young children, as it fits in with the school holidays.

"I wouldn't do anything else," she said.