Road rage is threatening the 50-year-old existence of lollipop men and women, endangering the lives of Keighley schoolchildren.

Recruitment problems were placing the valuable service in real crisis when it should be celebrating its golden jubilee, claimed the road safety group the Guild of Experienced Motorists.

Chief Executive David Williams said the national problem was causing some crossings to remain unmanned.

He said: "In many places long term vacancies mean that children face danger on their journeys to and from school, which does not help the campaign to reduce the private car school run syndrome."

He added: "One reason why recruiting may have become difficult is road rage.

"Some motorists refuse to stop for patrols. They do not slow down and show courtesy to the patrol person.

"Many believe they have no legal obligation to obey, but this is not the case and we are seeing more prosecutions as drivers refuse to heed the command to stop."

The GEM will try to recruit patrol wardens from its 60,000 members in its quarterly magazine, Good Motoring.

A spokesman for Education Bradford said the problem in the district was no worse than in the rest of the country.

He said: "There are a number of vacancies for crossing patrols, but the figure is no higher than in other authorities.

"We rely on the local community to respond to our advertising and come forward to fill these posts."

Former lollipop lady Iris Pearce (pictured) was not surprised about the problems after she heard about the death of a lollipop lady on duty in Cleethorpes earlier this month.

Mrs Pearce, who retired in 1996, said: "People are not as patient any more and it is a more difficult job. And of course the roads are much busier. I really do admire the work that lollipop ladies do now."

She added: "Most drivers were quite good, but you got some that were not. Some said they had a job to do. But so did I, and the children must come first."

Muriel Whiston, who has operated the crossing outside St Anne's Primary School on North Street for two-and-a-half years, said road rage was becoming more regular.

The 55-year-old said: "I am not surprised people are giving up. The road rage does not put me off, but it does make me angry."

Patrol wardens can earn up to £6 per hour for two hours a day. Anyone interested in becoming a patrol person should contact Tony Merifield on 01274 385636.