YOUNGSTERS at two Guiseley schools are playing 'Russian roulette' with their lives when they try to cross a busy road, it was claimed this week.

Angry parents of pupils at both Guiseley School and Tranmere Park Primary say their children are dicing with death trying to cross busy Bradford Road every day and have started a letter writing campaign to get a lollipop lady based there - or even a pelican crossing.

Their action follows a number of near misses on the road and instances of road rage when abuse has been hurled at youngsters attempting to cross the road.

The crossing warden for Bradford was off sick all last term and has now resigned. Parents fear that it will take a child to be knocked down and seriously injured - or worse - before action is taken.

One of the parents leading the campaign, mother-of-two Linda Wilson, said she was very concerned about her children crossing the road from their home in Tranmere Park to get to Guiseley School. "Sooner or later there will be an accident there unless something is done, " said Mrs Wilson. "Traffic speeds down that road at 50 and 60 miles an hour and people are so wrapped up in their own world that they don't seem to care about the kids trying to cross the road.

"One driver started 'effing and blinding' at my 11-year-old son, Phillip, for standing on a bollard, trying to cross the road.

"The poor kids are only trying to either get to school or get home.

"In many ways it's worse for people from the Fieldhead estate trying to get to Tranmere Park Primary, because mothers often have pushchairs to wheel around as well, which makes crossing even more difficult.

"The volume of traffic down Bradford Road justifies a pelican crossing, but the council seems to be moaning and groaning about the cost of it.

"It seems like they won't do anything until a child is killed."

Fellow campaigner, Dr Anne Connolly, whose two children also attend Guiseley School, added: "You are playing Russian roulette with your life crossing that road. I try to encourage my youngsters to walk to school, as the council says you should, and I don't want to have to drive them but I fear for the safety of my children.

"When it is dark and foggy, cars still go at such speed."

The campaign has the backing of both head teachers, Councillor Graham Latty (Con, Aireborough) and MP Paul Truswell (Lab).

Coun Latty said: "I have asked the relevant department to look into the situation but I am hoping that someone will come forward and volunteer their services as a crossing warden.

"The council seems to have enough money for a Millennium Square in Leeds city centre, which is a real waste of money, and yet there is no money for badly-needed crossings or play equipment."

Parents are also angry that the council has said it will do a traffic survey in the New Year - and claim that by the time it is carried out, it might be too late.

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said they were treating it as a priority site.

"We are urgently seeking a new school crossing patrol," she said. "The hours of work are 8am-9.05am and 3pm-4pm Monday to Friday and the rate of pay is currently £4,77 per hour.

"Anyone who is interested in this position should call Andrea on (0113) 247 5589 and other vacancies are available.

"We are looking at the possibility of installing some sort of permanent crossing in the area and will keep the community informed about this."