YOUNGSTERS have started a campaign to rid the road outside their school of dangerous potholes.

The pupils in Year One and Two from Wickford C of E School, in Mount Road, have written a series of letters to Essex County Council asking for it to mend the pothole-ridden spot outside their school gates.

Staff have been working with pupils on the campaign, and pupil Lexie Knight, aged seven, has already collected more than 100 signatures. Pupils claim many of their friends have tripped on the potholes.

Louise Johnson, deputy headteacher at the school, said pupils had been eager to conduct research about the dangers of potholes.

She said: “They have worked hard to realise the power of words, write in a persuasive style by designing posters, writing letters and forming class e-mails.

“We very much hope action will swiftly follow when Essex County Council receives our envelopes.”

Jack Deeney, aged seven, added: “We have waited long enough for them to be fixed.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We have been made aware of the potholes on Mount Road in Wickford.

“Officers have visited the site and repairs are programmed to be carried out shortly.”