They risk being injured and suffering unwarranted verbal abuse from impatient motorists on a daily basis.

But now, lollipop men and women are using a hi-tech weapon to protect themselves against the scourge of angry drivers.

Video cameras are being built into their poles and will be worn on their heads so incidents of "lollipop rage" can be recorded and used as evidence to prosecute motorists.

The cameras are time coded and mounted in both directions, so that illegal behaviour happening behind them will also be caught on film.

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Around 1,400 incidents were reported to councils last year and dozens of lollipop patrols helping school children cross the road required hospital treatment after being hit by cars.

A number of councils, including Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Kirklees in West Yorkshire, have bought the devices, which are initially being rotated around lollipop rage hotspots and used mainly as a deterrent.

David Sparks is chairman of the Local Government Association's transport board.

He said: "It's unbelievable that we have to take this action, but the lives of children are at risk from increasing numbers of drivers who are so selfish that they are willing to put lives at risk by refusing to stop for 30 seconds at a school crossing.

"Councils will do everything in their power to stamp this out. Abuse and intimidation of lollipop men and women who are carrying out a vital service to the community will also not be tolerated.

"Motorists need to be made aware that they are committing a criminal offence and we hope this new technology will prove an effective deterrent."

Legally, a lollipop lady has the same power as a red traffic light. Failure to stop the car could mean a fine and points on your licence.

But dozens of the patrols suffer shocking abuse. Typical incidents include driving around or too close to patrols standing on the road, swearing or using threatening language and revving engines and sounding horns while the children are crossing.

Describing one recent near tragedy, lollipop lady Vera Irving said: "The car had stopped. The children stepped out, the mum stepped out.

"Then the lady just carried on, nearly knocked the children down. If the mum hadn't pulled the children out of the way, they'd have got run over, they'd have got killed."

Don MacDougall, principal road safety officer at Dudley Council, revealed offenders who previously escaped prosecution could now be taken to court.

Full article here.