AN appeal has been launched to find a willing volunteer to ensure pupils from Minehead Middle School can continue to get to and from their lessons safely. The school's site manager Peter Phillips has been stepping in to provide crossing patrol cover twice a day for more than a year. But other commitments mean he will be unable to continue when the school returns in September and a search has begun to find a replacement. Appeals have already been made through the school newsletter but, so far, without success. Headteacher Paul Rushforth said unless someone came forward during the holidays, children crossing in the Ponsford Road area would have to do so without any crossing supervision. "We have been trying to recruit a suitable replacement for nearly a year now but without success," he said. "Sadly, in this litigious society in which we now live, school staff who have not been trained in crossing patrol duties are not permitted to help our children across the road. "Were there to be an accident they would be negligent and liable to prosecution." He said the school had been left with no option but to leave the Ponsford Road area unmanned. Anyone interested in becoming a crossing supervisor would need to be able to help youngsters across the road between 8.25am and 8.55am and again from 3.35pm and 4.05pm Mondays to Fridays during term time. More information is available from Mr Phillips on 07904 002172. "Leaving the Ponsford Road area unmanned is not a satisfactory situation from anyone's point of view," Mr Rushforth added.