Council bosses have launched plans to make the roads safer for school pupils by recruiting more lollipop men and women to keep watch over the streets.
About 40 patrollers are employed across Moray at present, but the local authority is looking to expand its roster of relief workers.
At the moment, when they are absent through illness it can fall to school staff to ensure youngsters stay safe outside the playground gates.
The council’s plan to fill the gaps has been welcomed by Elgin City North councillor Patsy Gowans.
She stood in as a relief lollipop lady when her own children attended primary school in the 1990s – and said the recruitment drive should be aimed directly at parents.
Mrs Gowans said: “This same problem happened when my children were at school and I was able to stand in and offer some help.
“Many parents really enjoy being able to spend extra time with their kids and being a part of the school.”
She urged the council to identify the schools where problems occur most frequently occur, and make parents aware of the opportunity to act as a relief crossing patroller.
“Some families don’t have two parents working, and it can be a good way for those people to supplement their income,” she added.
Relief patrollers are paid an hourly rate plus a mileage allowance.
A spokesman for the council’s public transportation unit said: “We already have a pool of relief patrollers but resources are often stretched covering for sickness and we are looking to recruit people who are prepared to step in, sometimes at quite short notice.
“We would like to hear from people with some experience of working with children and who understand road safety and can use their own initiative.”
Further information and application packs are available by calling 01343 563797.