CONCERNED residents in Lostock Hall have started a petition to muster support for a campaign to get two pedestrian crossings on busy roads.

Elderly people and schoolchildren, who often find it difficult to cross, would benefit most from the crossings say campaigners.

They say the area around Leyland Road, Watkin Lane, Brownedge Road and Coote Lane is used as a rat run into Preston by many commuters who want to avoid the motorway.

The petition, which will be sent to South Ribble Borough Council, calls for a crossing at the junction of Croston Road and Watkin Lane, plus one on Coote Lane.

Since the closure of the post office on Todd Lane, older people have to cross over to the other office in the Spar on Victoria Terrace, Leyland Road.

Sharon Wainwright, assistant manager of the store, said: "We have a lot of people coming in to collect their pensions and they struggle because the lights change so quickly."

Resident Carol Riddell, of Albrighton Road, works at Lostock Hall Library. She has been encouraging people to sign the petition. She said that despite only being in her fifties she struggles to get across the road in time.

"I don't know how some of the older people manage because the road is so busy and the traffic moves so fast. We need to support this petition for their sakes."

Mrs Riddell stopped travelling to work on her bike for fear that she would be knocked off.

Hundreds of pupils from Lostock Hall County Primary School, Our Lady and St Gerard's primary and Lostock Hall High, cross the roads every day.

Helen Gregson, deputy headteacher of Lostock Hall County Primary, said the safety of the children is her number one priority.

The campaign has the support of Farington councillors Mark Alcock and Judith England.

Councillor Alcock said: "It's an absolute nightmare trying to cross and something needs to be done about the situation.

"Many pensioners and lots of schoolchildren cross this road every morning. I'm surprised that someone hasn't been killed.

"It's urgent we deal with this as it has been an issue for several years. I hope this petition will kick-start action and apply pressure to get something done."