Fifteen lollipop men and women being taken on

Up to 39 schools faced losing their warden unless they paid for the service themselves under the previous council's plans to save £85,000.

But in September the new controlling Labour group vowed to continue funding all lollipop men and women following protests from schools and parents.

There were fears a child could be seriously injured or killed.

Posts are being advertised at a range of primary, junior and infant schools across the borough - a job that would pay between £7.87 and £8.81 an hour.

Bosses say they are advertising due to previous lollipop men and women leaving their jobs while the consultation into cutting the service was being carried out and the natural turn-over of staff.

Councillor Mohammad Nazir, deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration, said today: "We currently have 15 vacancies for our school crossing patrol service.

"There's always a natural turnover of staff and this notice is part of our ongoing recruitment drive.

"A few staff left their positions earlier this year during proposals to cut funding for category two patrols, which accounts for the number of vacancies we have at the moment.

"School crossing patrol officers have a very special place in local communities and people who do the job find it very fulfilling."

The u-turn over crossing patrols came after the initial cost-cutting measure had been put forward by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition.

The change in stance was welcomed by parents, schools and governors several months ago.

The decision to continue the full service for junior, infant and primary schools followed a consultation in which almost 800 people took part in.

Schools would have averaged spending between £2,000 and £3,000 a year if hit with the cost themselves.

Walsall Council needs to save £86 million over the next four years following a squeeze on Government funding.

There will be 487 job losses and eight libraries and 12 children's centres will close. Walsall Museum in Lichfield Street is also earmarked for closure in an effort to save the council £70,000.

The decision-making cabinet agreed to make savings by reducing £29.2m in the budget next year, and a further £57m between 2016 and 2019.