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A ten-year-old pupil at Machen Primary School has managed to help gather more than 800 signatures in an effort to save the school’s lollipop man.

Billy Lee has been a safety warden outside Machen Primary School for the past decade, but could soon become surplus to requirements as part of council cuts.

Caerphilly County Borough Council announced that up to nine school crossing patrols could be scrapped as it looks to plug a £45m hole in its budget.

In an effort to stop Billy becoming one of those wardens lost, Paris, a pupil at Machen Primary School, has been spending her lunchtimes collecting signatures from other pupils and members of staff as part of a petition.

Helped by mum Becky, Paris and her friends arranged a protest outside Bedwas and Machen Co-op stores, where more signatures and messages of support were gathered.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Becky said: “Billy plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of our children while they cross the busy road near Machen Primary School.

“As parents, we believe that an unfair assessment led to the decision that Machen Primary School no longer requires a road safety officer.

“This decision has not only saddened us as parents and guardians but has created a significant concern regarding the safety of children and parents crossing Machen Road, especially during the busy rush hour.”

Becky added how it was her daughter who had the idea to start a petition, and even had her classmates chanting Billy’s name in the school-yard.

“We can only hope that CCBC will reassess the vital role that Billy plays in ensuring the safety of our children and the community”, Becky added.

Reverend Dean Roberts, who is also the school’s chair of governors, expressed his “serious concern” at the proposal in an email to the council.

He wrote: “Should Machen Primary be under consideration for school crossing patrol removal, we wish to register our strongest opposition due to significant safety risks this would create.”

Rev Roberts also raised concerns about the “human impact” of the cuts, arguing Billy, and other safety wardens, are an “integral part of our school community”.

Liberal Democrat Steve Aicheler, who is a BTM community councillor and a governor at Machen Primary School, has also launched a petition online, describing the council’s cuts as “crazy”.