Local recruitment and publicity campaigns have helped boost the numbers of lollipop men and women staffing school crossing patrols.
Figures compiled by the Local Government Association show that county, metropolitan and unitary councils have achieved significant reductions in the number of vacancies ahead of the start of the new school term.
Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Sandwell and Thurrock have all reduced the number of crossing patrol vacancies to less than 5%, while Essex, Luton, Stockport and Peterborough have all reported major success in recruiting patrol staff, with just over one in 10 crossings now vacant.
The shortage of lollipop men and women has been blamed on a variety of reasons, from awkward shift times to changes in retirement ahead, and even abuse from drivers.