With their luminous yellow jackets, the famous signs and a penchant for any type of extreme weather, lollipop men and women are an icon of modern times.

But Leeds City Council is facing a crisis because there is a shortage of people volunteering for crossing patrol duty at a time when they are needed more than ever.

In the year of lollipop patrol's 50th anniversary, more than a quarter of posts across Leeds are vacant, and don't look like they will be filled in the near future.

With only around seven hours of work a week, a rate of £5.45 an hour and all school holidays off, surely the job is an easy number and the ideal way to get a bit of extra spending money?

According to one former lollipop man, times have changed and the job is increasingly dangerous.

William Shears, who worked in Pool-in-Wharfedale for four years, said that there were ups and downs to the job, but that it had changed even over the relatively short space of time he covered the crossing.

He said: "I had to leave because of the traffic, I was facing a struggle every day and it was just becoming too dangerous.

"It did not used to be that bad, but now people take their lives in their hands and I just couldn't do it any more.

"I do still miss it and I think that if there had been some reductions in speeding and the amount of traffic I would still be there now. I loved the job, it was ideal.

"Until the police, council and crossing patrols all come together and look at how traffic can be calmed, I don't think there will ever be a replacement in Pool, and I think that the same will be said in other areas."

So can the good side of the job ever outweigh the bad? Mr Shears thinks so.

He said: "In areas where traffic is not so severe I think that the job can still be good.

"There are so many good points to the job, meeting the children and parents is the best and I still see people I helped cross the road and they always say that they wish I was back.

"That was the best bit, getting out and meeting people, the hours were good and it is a bit of extra money."

The Metropolitan Police Historical Museum has records of the Commissioner of Police's Annual Reports from 1948 to 1954, which show how the patrols have evolved over the years.

They show that in 1948 the Commissioner suggested crossing patrols needed to be reorganised because 900 police officers were helping people across the roads when time could be better spent.

In 1949, 500 civilians were trained as part of an experiment to see whether a crossing patrol system would work.

By 1951, the Commissioner was given permission for 1,500 patrols mainly to replace the police, who kept their duties at the most difficult sites.

But parents were clamouring to get crossing patrols near their schools and the Commissioner was having difficulty finding people for the job.

Women were working as patrols as well as men, and in the 1951 report, the Commissioner said: "Women are not only finding the work well within their compass and are regarded by the children as real friends."

More women came forward in 1952 and lighter poles and signs were introduced. In 1953 the crossing patrols were introduced nationwide.

Also in 1953 the Commissioner said that there had been a number of injuries but he blamed them on the growing volume of traffic and drivers' poor respect of the lollipop signs.

So really nothing has changed since the early days. And if there were problems with traffic back then, what must crossing patrols have to face now?

Mr Shears had to give up the job he loved because of the dangers and there are 35 vacancies across Leeds.

But surely there must be some people who are willing to face the traffic in order to help children?

Jenny Baldwin is one of those people. She has been a crossing patrol warden and supervisor for 29 years, and admits that she still gets a buzz out of the job.

Jenny, 55, was at Guiseley last week covering for a sick colleague, and she was delighted to be back on the street.

She said: "I do a lot of work in a supervisor role but I love to get back on the crossings and in Guiseley the children were so lovely and friendly. They all enquired about the lollipop woman and asked when she would be back and what my name was.

"I think that more women are going back to work whereas before they used to take time out and do patrols.

"It is a shame that there are so many vacancies because I see parents stood at the school gates every day and they could do the job, but when I ask they say it wouldn't be right for them.

"I'd really ask people just to have a go and if you don't like it leave, but you might end up getting hooked like me."

She added: "I think that the whole idea of crossing patrols is a great one and the more we have the better.

"Parents feel better knowing their children are getting to school safely and even adults are benefiting now at busy times since we can help them cross as well as families.

"It is a great job in all weathers and I would say to anyone - just have a go."