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Campaigners in Ackworth say without a puffin crossing elderly and disabled people are being put at risk every time they cross the road.

Pensioner Douglas Lloyd began a campaign to have a crossing installed on Wakefield Road near the Esso garage.

Campaigners believe everyone in the village should be able to cross the road safely and “live in dignity”.

They said that money had been allocated by Wakefield Council for the crossing but it had since been downgraded to a zebra crossing.

Campaigners in Ackworth are looking to have a puffin crossing installed at a dangerous junction to help blind man Douglas Lloyd and others. Picture Scott Merrylees

They pointed out that would be of no use to Mr Lloyd and he would be unable to see the lines in the road.

He previously experienced a near miss when he was knocked to the floor and his elbow swelled up to the size of a tennis ball.

Mr Lloyd said: "I started going blind years ago but it got to the point where I couldn’t see. I can’t see a car’s length now.

“There are not always kind people there to help you cross the road

"I’m at that age and I don’t want to get run over. I’ve had a good life but I don’t want to get run over.

"There other blind people here also, it’s not just me. And people in wheelchairs or pushing pushchairs who need help to get across.”

A combination of signatures gathered on a petition when Mr Lloyd knocked on doors in the village and online reached around 2,000 in support of a crossing.

Campaigners in Wakefield district village battle for puffin crossing to help elderly blind man cross road