THURROCK Council has responded quickly to allay fears that Arthur Bugler School in Stanford-le-Hope might be losing its school crossing patrol.

Reports on local social media said that parents were told the crossing was to be axed because of the council's financial crisis, but this idea has been firmly rejected by the council – which says the incorrect information came out of a misunderstanding on the part of the school.

Cllr Ben Maney, cabinet member for regeneration and highways, said: "There has been no removal of the school crossing service.

"The information sent to parents of Arthur Bugler Primary School is incorrect and the council has provided clarification to the school which explain this.

"The school has an existing school crossing patrol in place and they will continue to provide the service for the new term."