A 12-FOOT banner pleading for road safety has been put up outside a March primary school after a pupil broke her leg in a collision on her way home last week.

Lucy Dunsmuir, 9, was riding her bicycle home from All Saints Primary School when the accident happened outside the Plate and Porter restaurant in Station Road.

The traffic hotspot has been the target of a safety campaign by parents desperate to protect their children. Petitions calling for a permanent crossing and boasting more than 700 signatures were handed to councillors before Christmas.

After last week’s accident, Lucy’s fellow pupils were challenged to design a road safety banner in a special school competition.

The winning design - penned by seven-year-old Mollie Charman - has been printed on the massive banner which will be fastened to the playground fence.

Head Teacher Rachel Beeson said: “Parents have been really worried about traffic around the school, especially on Station Road and Queens Street.

“The accident has upset both children and staff. We have had a special assembly with special prayers for her.

“I think a crossing would make it so much easier. There are so many people coming to school around these roads - a crossing would help the whole community. It would be money well spent.”

Natalie Dunsmuir, Lucy’s mother, told the Cambs Times last week: “I just thank God it’s nothing worse and it was just her leg. She might not even be here now. What if it happens to someone else and they die?

“Do the council really want someone’s death on their hands? Is that what it’s going to take for them to realise that something needs to be done? How much money do you put on a life?”

• Artistic poster designer Mollie Charman has enjoyed double success by earning a Kids Are Alright Challenge nomination for winning the school’s competition.

The seven-year-old becomes the youngest nominee in this year’s challenge for her contribution to road safety in March.

She joins alcohol advice group the Smarteenies, Whittlesey volunteer Sophie Young and youth worker Katie Stone in contention for this month’s prize.

The winner, who will receive a trophy and �50 worth of shopping vouchers, will be announced in next week’s paper.