A mum fears somebody might die unless urgent road safety measures are not put in place outside her children's school.

And another mother took on a job as lollipop lady "risking her own life" to ensure pupils get to and from Tunbury Primary in Walderslade safely.

Jodie Murphy's son Rowan, 10, and daughter Laila, six, go to the school in Tunbury Avenue.

She said: "You take your life in your own hands every day. The safest place to cross is near a bend and cars fly past at speed.

"You just have to put your hand out and hope they stop.

"Why must a child die before something is done?"

Like Claire Dillon, she has campaigned for a zebra crossing, flashing warning lights, warning a school is nearby, a reduced speed limit during peak times and a crackdown on parents parking on double yellow lines.

Claire, whose son used to attend the school, decided to step in to escort youngsters as the school's lollipop lady after witnessing numerous near-misses.

Claire herself was nearly hit by vehicles which she said "hurtle" down Tunbury Avenue, at times clipping her as she tried to halt traffic.

She said: "When I have waved my lollipop asking drivers to slow down, I have been sworn at. One even made a rude finger gesture at me."

Claire, 46, gave up the post after her child, now aged 12, went on to secondary school and the school is now looking to appoint someone to replace her.

She said: "I certainly didn't do it for money. I only had the children's safety in mind.

"It was so stressful. I used to walk out and cringe and think is that car going to stop or not?"

The fight with the school and Kent County Council to install improvements has been running for nearly 20 years.

It reached a peak in July 2019 when a child was hit by a car, prompting mum Claire Smith to relaunch her battle which started eight years previously.

She gathered petitions, lobbied councillors, wrote to highways bosses and spoke at public meetings after she was nearly run over with her two young sons and baby daughter on the school run.

Her children have moved on to secondary school and college, but she is prepared to back the latest campaign.

Claire, 48, said: "I did a lot of research at the time and spoke to a lot of people. So much could have been done and so much could still be done.

"From what I hear from neighbours who have younger children there, nothing has changed."

A spokesman for Kent County Council said: “The safety of everyone on or near our roads is always KCC’s top priority.

“We are working with senior leaders at Tunbury Primary School to recruit a new School Crossing Patrol and will seek to address additional concerns where they are raised directly with us.”

The school's head teacher, Ruth Austin, said: “We want everyone to be safe on their way to and from school, which is why we are looking to recruit a new school crossing patrol in Tunbury Avenue."

Anyone interested in applying for what Mrs Austin described as a "rewarding role" can contact the school directly or email SCP@kent.gov.uk