CHEPSTOW mayor Armand Watts is set to take off his official chain and pick up a lollipop in order to help two primary schools.

Neither Thornwell Primary nor Pembroke Primary has been able to find new lollipop ladies to work at their school gates.

But now it seems help is at hand - with the mayor saying he is prepared to do the job temporarily.

Mr Watts said: "We are in desperate need of new lollipop ladies outside the schools because they are both on busy roads and the safety of the children is very important.

"If it helps I would be willing to offer my services temporarily for one or two mornings a week."

Bob Young, acting head of Thornwell Primary, said: "We are very anxious to get somebody to fill the position because the school is right next to a busy road and there is nobody to help the children across it."