A lollipop woman was sent home one day into her new job - because of a red tape blunder.

Wendy Brock, 39, of Crutchmore Crescent, Kirtlington, worked as a school crossing patrol officer for five and half years until April this year when she decided to change jobs.

But when she saw in the Oxford Mail there were 29 crossing vacancies across the county, she decided to return to the job at Kirtlington Primary School, in Heyford Road, Kirtlington.

She contacted the school and was asked to start straight away. She began work last Monday but was told the following day there had been a mix-up and she could not continue.

Mrs Brock said: "I thought they were crying out for lollipop ladies and now they have said they don't want me.

"I'd done the job perfectly well for five and a half years.

"The school told me everything would be OK and they would sort things out with the county council.

"Now it seems I can't do the job. I thought I was doing the school a favour," she added. It is understood Mrs Brock and the school did not follow proper procedure in applying for the job - and she would not have been covered by insurance.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said they had not received a job application from Mrs Brock but when they did they would consider her.

Headteacher John Bliss would not comment.

Four people have inquired about the jobs since we highlighted the shortage of school crossing patrols.

Story date: Friday 03 December

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