SCHOOL chiefs have supported of a lollipop man who blamed abusive mums and dads for rising violence in the classrooms.

Chris Allen claimed he suffered regular abuse from adults parking illegally outside St Leonard's CE Primary School, Langho, where he has worked since October.

The 45-year-old, of Willow Trees Drive, Lammack, said: "If they behave like children, what hope is there for their kids?"

His comments were prompted by an Evening Telegraph investigation, which revealed 72 of the region's teachers were assaulted by pupils in the year to March.

Today chairman of governors David Noblett said he was "sorry to hear" of Mr Allen's plight.

And he confirmed the school had written to parents in a bid to stop them parking illegally outside school.

Mr Noblett said: "He is very popular with parents who value his hard work.

"I am sorry to hear about the abuse and, together with the school, intend to speak to him about this."

He added: "I know there have been incidents where parents have been parking on yellow zig-zags or up to the railings at the front of the school.

"We have written to parents about this and whenever we have a new intake, we hold a parents evening and among other issues we make it clear they should not be parking on zig-zag lines.

"I am not aware of the number if incidents getting worse."

He said the majority of the 230 pupils were "well behaved" and he was "not aware" of any violent incidents at the school which did not feature on the list of 72 pupil attacks on teachers.

Mr Allen said he had been greeted with warm words of support from parents picking up children at the school after the Telegraph highlighted his plight.

He said: "Since the story parents have patted me on the back and said well done' which is nice.

"It would be nice now if those parents told off other parents who are parking illegally.

"I am sceptical if they will change their ways but the parents involved would be the first to complain if their children were hurt."

Lancashire County Council, who employ Mr Allen and 356 other lollipop men and women, insisted staff were protected.

A spokesman said: "Our crossing patrol staff are fully supported in their work.

"Incidents of aggression are extremely rare and we get less than a handful of incidents in any given year."