Parents, teachers and children have launched a passionate plea for a crossing outside their school, amid claims they dice with death every day.

With the south coast’s busiest port on its doorstep, industrial units nearby and a major arterial road just yards away, pupils and parents at St Peter’s Primary School in St Peter’s Road, Portslade, have to avoid trucks and large lorries on the school run.

But despite it recently expanding from an infant to a primary school including junior pupils, there is still no crossing patrol to help control traffic.

A petition signed by more than 800 people has been presented to Brighton and Hove City Council calling for immediate action before a child is injured.

Speaking at a town hall meeting, parent Rae Powers, who lives in Norway Street, Portslade, said: “It’s children versus articulated lorries, it’s not a fair competition.

“All the neighbouring schools have adequate crossings, we have none. And they do not have gravel lorries they are fighting against.

“We’re terrified twice a day. There are close calls every day. It’s only a matter of time before somebody dies.

“Please act before it’s too late or a child will be killed.”

Ms Powers, who said she collected more than 400 signatures in about 30 hours, said locals had said there had been a problem in the area for the past 30 years.

Pete West, chairman of the council’s transport, environment and sustainability, said the request will be considered alongside others, with an announcement expected by the end of the year.

Coun West said: “None of us are happy with the safety problems people experience in various parts of the city.

“We try to do as much as we can with the resources that we have.

“We assess more than 100 sites every year and have to do that methodically by looking at the history of road safety traffic levels before making any decision.”

Ward councillor Alan Robins said: “What we do not want to happen is to be here in six or eight months time and for there to be a serious accident.

“It’s a priority and I think we need to work with the people campaigning to actually come up with now rather than later.”