A primary school headteacher has criticised council plans to scrap nearly half of the borough's school crossing patrols.

Jolyon Roberts, executive head at Pegasus Academy, Thornton Heath, said pupil safety was being compromised by proposals to cut funding for 'lollypop' officers by 42 per cent.

Croydon Council revealed the plans, which it hopes will save £60,000, in its budget last week.

Mr Roberts said: "It is a very poor decision. Wherever crossing patrol wardens are in place, they are in place for a reason. Pupil safety is being compromised.

"I understand that the council has to save money but it will only take one child to be knocked down before people are recommending that they are brought back."

Whitehorse Manor Infant School and Whitehorse Manor Junior School, which are part of the Pegasus Academy, lost its lollypop man six months ago to long-term illness.

He was never replaced, leaving parents to voluntarily fill the void when they can.

Mr Roberts said: "We have had several near misses with children. If we take what has happened here as a sign of what is to come then it is concerning."

A spokesman for the council said: "Croydon has over 100 schools and at present only 22 of them have a crossing patrol service.

"This number has gradually been reduced since the function was passed to the council from the Metropolitan Police some years ago.

"Ten of the remaining patrolled sites now have automated or zebra crossings, and it is these where we are considering their future"

He could not say how many jobs were at risk.