Abuse towards lollipop patrol wardens in Oxford has got so bad they could be given special 'camera hats' to film offensive motorists.

The suggestion comes after years of harassment of the men and women whose job is to get children safely across busy roads before and after school.

Sian Gibbons, the school crossing patrol supervisor for Oxfordshire County Council, said: "We're interested in using the camera hat in an area in Blackbird Leys, where the abuse our lollipop lady receives is particularly bad. We're hoping the cameras could be a way of tackling this problem."

The miniature 2in lens, which costs £900, will be attached to the hat brim.

Footage could be used to help police prosecute drivers who fail to stop or who abuse or threaten the crossing officers. A pilot scheme to test the cameras has been approved in Warwickshire.

Pat Turner, 53, who works at Wheatley Primary School, welcomed the news. She has been helping children cross the road outside for almost five years.

She said: "A camera would make me feel a little bit safer, so I would give it a try.

"I have been sworn at and had motorists try to steal my lollipop. I often see drivers speed up so they do not have to stop.

"The last lollipop lady was only here for one year, because she found the abuse so hard."

But in Blackbird Leys, the lollipop lady for Pegasus Primary School said she would not want to wear a camera.

Val Hignell, 69, said: "I have been doing this job for nearly 40 years and I have only had a motorbike and two cars go across me.

"I wouldn't wear a camera, because I'm scared of the repercussions."

Ali Libbiard, who helps children from Manor School in Didcot cross the road, said: "I don't think having a camera is really necessary for me, although I know some other lollipop ladies have had problems."

Rachel Burr, a spokesman for road safety charity Brake, said: "Anything that can be done to make their jobs safer is great idea."

Lollipop stop signs should be treated by drivers in the same way as a red light.

Under the Road Traffic Act, it is an offence not to stop when signalled to do so by a lollipop warden.

Motorists can be fined up to £1,000 and get three penalty points on their driving licence if they are convicted of the offence.

There are currently six vacancies for school crossing patrol supervisors in the county.

Call Ms Gibbons on 01865 815615 for more information.