COUNCIL officials have issued a safety appeal to motorists as children return to school.

Paul Watson, Hartlepool Borough Council's road safety officer, said: "The majority of motorists do show consideration to our school crossing patrollers by stopping, but there is an impatient minority who don't.

"The patrollers have a key role to play when it comes to preventing and reducing accidents, but they need the consideration and respect of all motorists to do this effectively."

Parents on the daily school run are also being asked to do their bit to help to reduce the number of vehicles parking outside local schools.

Mr Watson said: "Preferably, I would like to see parents leave their cars at home and walk their children to school. However, if the journey is too far to walk, then it may be possible to park considerately some distance away from school and walk the rest of the way."