A HEAD teacher has attacked impatient drivers around her school after they forced a popular lollipop lady to give up the job.

Angela Pyle has been a familiar sight outside Mierscourt School in Rainham for the last two years, helping children cross the road safely before and after school.

But following a series of incidents, Mrs Pyle has handed in her notice, leaving the school with no permanent school patrol. She decided to quit after the latest incident in which a passing car grazed her hand.

The female driver bought flowers and apologised, but for Mrs Pyle the stress of the job had become too much.

School patrols right across Medway face the impatience and aggression of drivers every morning and afternoon, and it is an escalating problem all over the area. Parents eager to get home in a hurry are in many cases ignoring parking restrictions and basic traffic rules.

Mrs Patterson stressed: "It's a problem everywhere and the LEA has said it's a universal problem, because of the abuse that comes with the job."

The incidents are mainly caused by a small minority of parents. Mrs Patterson added: The vast majority of our parents are very polite and it's only a few incidents. Most of them are very appreciative of Mrs Pyle and are very sorry to see her go."

But Mrs Patterson urged parents and other drivers to be more considerate when they are picking up their children or driving in a school area.

Mrs Paterson is hoping that anyone who is interested in taking over Mrs Pyle's role will contact the school.