Parents are fighting to stop the public using a footpath through their children's school playground because of fears youngsters could be abducted.

More than 100 parents at High Bank First School, Eighth Avenue, Hightown, Liversedge, have signed a petition objecting to the path being designated a public right of way.

Head teacher Mel Turner and Kirklees Council's education service are also supporting the parents. The highways and transportation committee will make a decision on April 1.

At present gates at either end of the path, which runs between Windy Bank Lane and Fifth Avenue, are closed during school opening hours to protect the pupils. Outside school hours they are unlocked.

Claudia Brown, of Eighth Avenue, whose children Alex, nine, and Danielle, five, attend the school, said: "It would only take a dinner lady or a teacher to turn their backs for ten seconds for someone to walk off with a child.''

Councillor Molly Walton, chairman of the education committee, said: "I can understand the parents' concerns. They want to be sure their children are safe when at school.

"The Government and the Council have spent a lot of money on initiatives such as controlled door entry systems and fencing at schools and the proposal for the footpath seems to counter that.''

The application for the right of way has been submitted by resident Allan Serjeant, of Windy Bank Lane, and ten other residents have sent written evidence to the Council saying the path has been used by the public for more than 50 years.

Mr Serjeant said: "I can understand the parents' concerns but the path has always been a public right of way.

"It is used regularly by people going to the shops, the bus stop and to visit relatives and friends on the estate. They face a much longer way round otherwise.''

The Council is now scouring old maps, deeds and legal documents to establish if the residents are right or the path has simply been 'adopted' by walkers because of years of use and they have no legal right to use it.

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