Lollipop ladies across the country are to be given signs fitted with hidden cameras following a successful pilot scheme carried out by a handful of local authorities including Dudley Council.

The cameras, activated when the pole touches the ground, are pointed at offending cars.

Using the footage filmed drivers can then be found and punished. Dudley is the only local authority in the West Midlands to use the devices, which cost around £900 each, designed to stop so called “lollipop rage.”

Successful trials have also been carried out by other local authorities including Hillingdon, West London and Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

David Sparks, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association (LGA) said he expected all councils would buy the poles.

“They are fantastic. They are very effective in stopping motorists and they are also highlighting the problems of renegade drivers who are no longer going to get away with it,” he added.

School crossing wardens in Dudley are being trained how to use the cameras, which have been on trial in the borough, and will be hitting the streets with them full time next month.

Over the past 12 months there have been 14 problems from lollipop wardens reported to Dudley Council. These include eight near misses, where cars have failed to stop, and five cases of violent or verbal abuse. The tiny cameras point in two directions and can capture car details including registration plates. Lollipops have the legal force of a red traffic light and drivers disobeying them face a £1,000 fine or three points on their licence. The LGA estimates there are 1,400 “lollipop rage” incidents each year.