Lollipop crossing patrols due to be scrapped have been given a last-minute reprieve.

Parents and headteachers spoke out last week against plans to cut funding for two school crossings in Kidlington, Steeple Aston, Bloxham and Banbury at the end of March.

Since then, Oxfordshire County Council has announced a review to look at ways of improving road safety, which will consider the future of the crossings.

In the meantime, it has decided that funding for the lollipop patrols will continue until at least the end of the summer term in July.

Kevin Haines, the group manager for highway management, said: "We shall be looking at each of these sites to decide what safety measures are most appropriate.

"For the time-being, the existing patrols at these schools will now continue while we re-examine the case for there to be a school crossing patrol.

"The review must join up with the county council's work with schools under the 'Better Ways to School' banner to develop school travel plans that encourage more walking and cycling to school."

Maria Sweeney, head- teacher of St Thomas More School in Kidlington, welcomed the news and renewed her plea to keep a lollipop patrol at the busy junction of Oxford Road and Bicester Road.

She said: "I'm delighted that they are going to make a review and continue funding in the short term. I hope they will be coming out here to see the crossing for themselves because if they do they will see what a special case we are."

The other crossings are outside Dr Radcliffe's Primary School, on Fir Lane, Steeple Aston, Bloxham School, on Banbury Road, Bloxham, and on Warwick Road, Banbury, near St Mary's Primary.

Cherwell District Council will cease paying for the crossings at the end of March after having paid for them since 1998 when the county council which is responsible for them withdrew funding. Oxfordshire County Council will now fund the crossings after March.