Safety of schoolchildren in Helston has been called into question by a concerned resident who said: "How much do you value a student's life?"

John Macknelly's fears centre around the crossing on Belmont Road that students from Helston Community College use cross the road from the school's south site to the pathway leading to the north site.

He wants to see better visibility in the form of brighter colours and more signs, saying many drivers seemed unaware there were children crossing and it became almost invisible in wet weather.

The retired police volunteer, who lives in Brook Close, said: "I consider it to be dangerous for pupils and students.

"The county council and Highways say they don't think it's a problem; I'm a bit nonplussed. How much do you value a student's life?

"Sooner or later someone will get knocked down there, as people do not slow down.

"Their argument [at Cornwall Council] is they can't do anything; it's too expensive; it's not a proper crossing. That's rubbish.

"How would they feel if one of their children or grandchildren got clipped by a car? They'd change their mind then."

Mr Macknelly says there should be more visible markings and signs, with the only notification currently being a 'school patrol' sign some distance down Church Hill.

"There's nothing to suggest you will meet possibly 100 students walking back and forwards," he claimed.

"If I didn't do anything and a child got injured I'd feel terrible."

Donna Bryant, chief executive officer of the Southerly Point Co-operative Multi-Academy Trust, which Helston Community College is part of, described as a "longstanding matter."

She said: "The crossing area was re-surfaced last year as the red edging had come away. It is important that the crossing is visible.

"My understanding is that it is too close the junction for there to be an official zebra crossing. Most locals know it is a busy thoroughfare for children between sites but to the visitor it comes as quite a shock, especially at changeover time.

"Anything that can be done to enhance the crossing to help children cross safely would be welcome.

"The children do not have automatic right of way - most drivers wave them across and wait for a break in the flow of pupils but it is not always clear cut.

"This is the place where there will be the greatest density of pupils crossing at a given moment. At the end of the school day when there is the greatest flow of pupils, we do have staff on duty but this isn’t possible at every changeover."

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: "We’re aware of the concerns that have been raised with local member Mike Thomas. The red tarmac which indicates the crossing point was recently upgraded at his request.

"We’ll be monitoring the situation but at the moment, there are no plans to carry out further work at this location. "